No, Russia is not bigger than Pluto. Originally, Pluto’s estimated surface area was 16,647,940 square kilometers, smaller than Russia’s 17,075,200 square kilometers. But, after the New Horizons mission, Pluto’s surface area was updated to be 17,646,012 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than Russia.
How big is Russia?
Russia is the largest country on Earth, covering an expansive land area of about 17.1 million square kilometers (approximately 6.6 million square miles). This vast territory spans across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Also, it borders multiple countries and encompasses diverse geographical features such as forests, mountains, plains, and lakes.
The sheer size of Russia contributes to its wide range of climates and ecosystems, which makes it a country of significant geographical, cultural, and historical significance—stretching approximately 9,000 kilometers from east to west. Also, Russia’s expanse is even more significant than the moon’s diameter and four times Pluto’s size.
Moreover, Russia encompasses two significant mountain ranges—the Ural Mountains covering 2.225 million square kilometers and the Caucasus Mountains spanning 477,488 square kilometers, hosting the towering Mount Elbrus at 5,642 meters. Despite the relatively modest average height of the Ural peaks at around 1,000 meters, Russia’s sheer size and geological attributes make it grander than many moons within our solar system.
How big is Pluto?
Previously, it was believed Pluto had a smaller surface area than Russia. The estimate was 16.7 million km². However, the New Horizons mission improved this to 17.6 million km², showing us more details.
However, Pluto, once considered a planet, is now known as a dwarf planet. Despite the “planet” label, it’s much smaller than Earth’s countries or continents. While we might expect planets to be more giant, this isn’t true for Pluto.
Moreover, Pluto doesn’t have many mountains, but some icy ones are tall, reaching 3.55 km. Also, Pluto’s diameter of 2,376.6 km is much larger than Earth’s thickness. Though Pluto’s surface area rivals big planets or continents, its thickness is unmatched.
Why is Pluto no longer considered a planet?
Pluto is no longer considered a planet due to a redefinition of the term “planet” by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006. Before this redefinition, Pluto was classified as the ninth planet in our solar system. However, advances in astronomy and our understanding of celestial bodies prompted a need for a more precise definition of what constitutes a planet.
The IAU’s new definition states that for an object to be classified as a planet, it must meet three criteria:
- The object must orbit the Sun directly.
- The object must have sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces, giving it a nearly round shape.
- The object must have cleared its orbit of other debris and celestial bodies, meaning it has become gravitationally dominant in its vicinity.
Moreover, Pluto met the first two criteria, but it did not meet the third criterion because its orbit overlaps with other objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune filled with icy bodies. As a result, Pluto was reclassified as a “dwarf planet” rather than a full-fledged planet. This decision sparked debates and discussions among astronomers and the public, but the IAU’s definition has remained in place.
How does Russia’s size compare to other countries?
Russia’s size is exceptional compared to most other countries. It’s the largest country on Earth, covering about 17.1 million square kilometers. Also, Russia’s expanse is nearly double that of the second-ranking country, China, which covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometers.
Moreover, this significant size difference highlights Russia’s immense land area, contributing to its diverse landscapes, varied climates, and cultural tapestry.
Why was Pluto first a planet despite being smaller than Russia and the moon?
Pluto’s designation as a planet originated from early telescopic observations that provided limited insights into its size and characteristics. During its initial classification, its diminutive size wasn’t fully appreciated, and its status was primarily influenced by its orbit and apparent behavior.
However, as our understanding of celestial bodies advanced, it became evident that size alone wasn’t an adequate criterion for planetary classification. Additionally, the revelation of the Kuiper Belt—a region of icy objects beyond Neptune—accentuated Pluto’s relatively modest size in comparison to other planets and even some moons. This realization led to Pluto’s reclassification as a “dwarf planet” in 2006.
FAQs
Is Pluto bigger than the Moon?
No, Pluto is smaller than the Moon. Pluto has a diameter of about 2,377 kilometers, while the Moon’s diameter is approximately 3,474 kilometers. Despite its former status as a planet, Pluto is significantly smaller than Earth’s Moon.
Is Russia bigger than Mercury?
No, Russia is not as big as Mercury. Even though Russia is Earth’s largest country, Mercury is much larger. Mercury’s surface area is about 74.8 million square kilometers, while Russia’s is only 17.1 million square kilometers. Mercury’s volume is also way bigger, with 60.8 billion cubic kilometers compared to Russia’s 632.7 cubic kilometers.
Is USA Bigger Than Pluto?
No, the USA is larger than Pluto. Pluto’s size is relatively small, just half the United States’s width, and smaller than Earth’s moon. Moreover, Pluto’s orbit around the Sun takes 248 Earth years.
Is China Bigger Than Pluto?
Yes, China is bigger than Pluto. China covers an area of approximately 9.7 million square kilometers, while Pluto’s surface area is about 17.6 million square kilometers. Despite being a dwarf planet, Pluto has a larger surface area than China.
Is Russia Bigger Than Titan?
No, Russia is not bigger than Titan. Russia’s surface area is around 17.1 million sq. kilometers, with a 349.46 million cubic kilometers volume. Saturn’s Titan is the second-largest moon, with a surface area of 83 million square kilometers and a book of 71.6 billion cubic kilometers. However, Titan’s size is due to its spherical shape, unlike Russia’s flat landmass.
Final Verdict
In celestial proportions, Russia’s grandeur on Earth is overshadowed by Pluto’s vastness. Despite being Earth’s largest country with around 17.1 million square kilometers, Russia is smaller than Pluto.
This comparison invites us to contemplate the immense variety in our cosmic neighborhood. This article is excellent for those who want to know more about the universe’s mysteries. Moreover, reading this article is an exciting way to uncover the secrets of your solar system, expanding your knowledge and igniting your sense of wonder.
