Surprising Discovery: Squishy Dwarf Planet with Moon Found in Solar System
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org
A recent study led by Professor Francis Nimmo from the University of California, Santa Cruz, has revealed that the dwarf planet Eris, similar in size to Pluto but located farther from the sun, has a surprisingly "squishy" internal structure. The study utilized data on Eris's moon Dysnomia to infer properties of Eris's internal structure. The researchers found that Eris has a rocky core surrounded by a convecting layer of ice, making it behave less like a rigid object and more like a soft cheese. Further measurements and observations are needed to refine the model and determine the exact shape of Eris.