Tales from Pluto
by katelyn Rosevear
Tucked deeply away in the Milky Way, is the home of Pluto. Pluto loved his home in space and was proud to be a member of the Solar System Planetary Committee (otherwise known as the SSPC) with planetary status, although the commute to work was a bit of a drag. Although Pluto took his job as a planet very seriously, some of the other planets would tease him for his small size and for having the least amount of experience working as a member of the SSPC.
“Oh sorry Pluto, we didn’t realize you wanted to help planning the surprise party for Sun. We figured us bigger planets could just take care of the job,” said Jupiter.
“You just don’t know this job like I do, Pluto,” said Earth, “I have been a member of the SSPC from long before the time we began to take records.”
Being a planet was hard work, but Pluto always tried his hardest to be the best planet he could be.
As much as Pluto loved being a planet, he did not shed a tear the day he received an email saying:
“Dear Pluto,
Last night we held an emergency meeting. (Sorry we didn’t let you know, but we thought you wouldn’t be able to make it in time.) At this time, we will be reliving you of your planetary duties, as you are not able to fully meet the requirements of being a planet.
Best of luck,
The Solar System Planetary Committee
Pluto didn’t let this news get him down; instead he decided to make the most of the situation. “Now is my chance to do all of the things I never had time to do before,” he said to himself. First on Pluto’s agenda was spend some time with his asteroid buddies. The asteroids liked to stop by from time-to-time, but Pluto rarely had time to visit while he was a busy being the ninth planet. After a day meeting up with the asteroids, the group decided to go sightseeing around the solar system from the Kuiper belt to the inner-solar system. Pluto was having a blast!
With his relaxed schedule, Pluto now had time for more fun- on Monday Pluto played ping-pong with the stars, on Tuesday he went moon tipping, on Wednesday he went skiing across the Milky Way, on Thursday he watched a solar eclipse, and on Friday he visited the sight of a black hole. Being fired from being a planet was the best thing ever!
As much as Pluto enjoyed his newfound free time, he did miss some parts of working for the SSPC, he even missed working with the eight planets.
“Ding, you have new e-mail.” Pluto opened the message and read,
Dear Pluto,
At this time we would like to extend to you a part time position as a dwarf planet. We hope you will accept this position and give us the honor of working with you again.
Your friends,
The Solar System Planetary Committee
“Hmmm,” though Pluto as he considered the offer, “I do have some spare time. I guess I could pick up some consultant work.”
“Oh sorry Pluto, we didn’t realize you wanted to help planning the surprise party for Sun. We figured us bigger planets could just take care of the job,” said Jupiter.
“You just don’t know this job like I do, Pluto,” said Earth, “I have been a member of the SSPC from long before the time we began to take records.”
Being a planet was hard work, but Pluto always tried his hardest to be the best planet he could be.
As much as Pluto loved being a planet, he did not shed a tear the day he received an email saying:
“Dear Pluto,
Last night we held an emergency meeting. (Sorry we didn’t let you know, but we thought you wouldn’t be able to make it in time.) At this time, we will be reliving you of your planetary duties, as you are not able to fully meet the requirements of being a planet.
Best of luck,
The Solar System Planetary Committee
Pluto didn’t let this news get him down; instead he decided to make the most of the situation. “Now is my chance to do all of the things I never had time to do before,” he said to himself. First on Pluto’s agenda was spend some time with his asteroid buddies. The asteroids liked to stop by from time-to-time, but Pluto rarely had time to visit while he was a busy being the ninth planet. After a day meeting up with the asteroids, the group decided to go sightseeing around the solar system from the Kuiper belt to the inner-solar system. Pluto was having a blast!
With his relaxed schedule, Pluto now had time for more fun- on Monday Pluto played ping-pong with the stars, on Tuesday he went moon tipping, on Wednesday he went skiing across the Milky Way, on Thursday he watched a solar eclipse, and on Friday he visited the sight of a black hole. Being fired from being a planet was the best thing ever!
As much as Pluto enjoyed his newfound free time, he did miss some parts of working for the SSPC, he even missed working with the eight planets.
“Ding, you have new e-mail.” Pluto opened the message and read,
Dear Pluto,
At this time we would like to extend to you a part time position as a dwarf planet. We hope you will accept this position and give us the honor of working with you again.
Your friends,
The Solar System Planetary Committee
“Hmmm,” though Pluto as he considered the offer, “I do have some spare time. I guess I could pick up some consultant work.”
Cast of characters
Fun facts about pluto
- Pluto was first seen in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh . Pluto can only be seen with the aid of a telescope.
- Pluto has an oddly shaped orbit. It is on a 17 degree tilt from the plane of all the planets' orbits. Also it is very elongated in shape and will occasionally pass in front of Neptune's orbit.
- Pluto is named for the Roman god of the Underworld.
- It takes Pluto 248 1/2 Earth years to complete its orbit.
- A day on Pluto (the time it takes to make one full rotation) is equal to 6 1/2 Earth days.
- Pluto has five moons.
- Pluto's largest moon is called Charon.
- Pluto is the largest object found within the Kupier belt.
- Pluto appears to be shrinking in size ever year.