The occultation of the dwarf planet Eris in November 2010

This diagram shows the path of a faint star during the occultation of the dwarf planet Eris in November 2010. Two sites in South America saw the faint star briefly disappear as its light was blocked by Eris and another recorded no change in brightness. Studies of where the event was seen, and for how long, have allowed astronomers to measure the size of Eris accurately for the first time. Surprisingly, they find it to be almost exactly the same size as Pluto and that it has a very reflective surface.

Credit:

ESO/L. Calçada 

About the Image

Id:eso1142b
Type:Simulation
Release date:26 October 2011, 19:00
Related releases:eso1142
Size:1280 x 720 px

About the Object

Name:(136199) Eris
Type:Solar System : Interplanetary Body : Dwarf planet
Category:Solar System

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