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Russia vs Pluto: Size Comparison

Category: Space

Introduction:

Many people are surprised to learn that Russia, a country on Earth, has a larger surface area than the dwarf planet Pluto, located in the distant reaches of our solar system. In this explanation, we will explore the reasons behind this intriguing fact.

Main Explanation:

Russia covers an area of approximately 17,098,242 square kilometers, making it the largest country in the world. On the other hand, Pluto has a surface area of about 16,649,311 square kilometers, which is smaller than Russia by around 448,931 square kilometers. This difference in size is attributed to a number of factors.

Firstly, Russia occupies a large portion of the Earth's landmass, which is a much larger body than Pluto. While Pluto is considered a dwarf planet due to its relatively small size and lack of gravitational dominance in its orbit, Earth is a full-fledged planet with a massive gravitational pull. This gravitational force has allowed Earth to accumulate more mass and land over time.

Secondly, Pluto's shape plays a role in its smaller surface area compared to Russia. Pluto is an irregularly shaped body, with a surface that is covered in mountains, valleys, and other geological features. These irregularities reduce the amount of surface area available. In contrast, Russia has a more uniform and expansive surface, with vast plains and few major geological features.

Conclusion:

Despite being a small and distant celestial body, Pluto's unique characteristics make it an object of great interest to scientists and space enthusiasts. While it may be smaller in surface area compared to Russia, Pluto's icy composition, reddish tint, and accompanying moon system continue to captivate our imaginations and fuel our desire to explore the wonders of the cosmos.