frozenguy said:
Sorry ya, that's what I mean. I guess I just got confused with what we can and can't use to infer the diameter.Delphi51 said:
Hey thanks for your response..tiny-tim said:logically, if you can see Pluto eclipsing Charon, you must also be able to see Charon transiting Pluto …
so at least you'll know the ratio of their diameters!
(or be able to say that Charon's diameter is negligible!)
…
)The diameter of Pluto can be determined from orbiting Charon by using a technique called mutual event occultation. This involves observing when Charon passes in front of or behind Pluto, causing a dip in the brightness of Pluto's surface. By measuring the duration of the dip and using the known orbital period and distance of Charon, scientists can calculate the diameter of Pluto.
The estimated diameter of Pluto based on observations from orbiting Charon is around 2,377 kilometers, which is slightly larger than previous estimates based on other methods. This is due to the precise measurements made possible by the mutual event occultation technique.
The diameter of Pluto is much smaller than the other planets in our solar system. It is only about 2,377 kilometers, while the diameter of Earth, the largest planet, is over 12,000 kilometers. This is why Pluto is often referred to as a dwarf planet.
Charon's close orbit around Pluto is what makes it possible to determine the diameter of Pluto using mutual event occultation. Without this close orbit, the dips in brightness caused by Charon passing in front of or behind Pluto would not be as precise, making it more difficult to accurately measure Pluto's diameter.
Our understanding of Pluto's diameter has significantly improved with the use of mutual event occultation. This technique has allowed for more precise measurements and has increased our estimated diameter of Pluto by over 100 kilometers. It has also provided a better understanding of the size and composition of Pluto's surface.