Ep 8. Strange Lives of Dwarf Planets

How the Universe Works season 6 episode 8, titled "Strange Lives of Dwarf Planets," delves into the mysterious lives and characteristics of the dwarf planets in our solar system. Starting with Pluto, the episode explores the recent discoveries made by NASA's New Horizons mission, which provided unprecedented views and insights into the former ninth planet.

We learn about the geological features on Pluto's surface, including towering mountains made of water ice and nitrogen glaciers. The show also highlights the possibility of a subsurface ocean beneath Pluto's frozen shell, which could potentially harbor life.

Moving beyond Pluto, the episode introduces us to other dwarf planets such as Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. These worlds, each with their unique features and properties, challenge our understanding of what it means to be a planet.

One of the main themes in the episode is the significance of the Kuiper Belt, a vast region of icy bodies beyond Neptune that is home to many dwarf planets. The show explains how the study of these worlds can provide insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.

As the episode progresses, we learn about the various missions that have studied these dwarf planets and the mysteries that they have uncovered. From Hubble telescope observations to groundbreaking flybys, each mission has contributed to our knowledge of these distant, enigmatic objects.

Throughout the show, experts in the field provide insights into the science behind the discoveries and explain the significance of these findings. They also discuss the challenges of studying objects that are so far away and the technological advancements that have made it possible.

Overall, "Strange Lives of Dwarf Planets" is a captivating exploration of some of the most fascinating objects in our solar system. It provides a glimpse into the mysteries of these distant worlds and showcases the incredible discoveries made by human exploration and scientific research.