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Astronomers announce their discovery of dwarf planet Eris

Eris (minor-planet designation: 136199 Eris) is the most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System.

Eris (minor-planet designation: 136199 Eris) is the most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System. It is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) in the scattered disk and has a high-eccentricity orbit. Eris was discovered in January 2005 by a Palomar Observatory–based team led by Mike Brown and verified later that year. It was named in September 2006 after the Greco–Roman goddess of strife and discord. Eris is the ninth-most massive known object orbiting the Sun and the sixteenth-most massive in the Solar System (counting moons). It is also the largest known object in the Solar System that has not been visited by a spacecraft.

Historical Significance

Eris (minor-planet designation: 136199 Eris) is the most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System.

Events Before

  1. After hosting the show for over 30 years, Casey Kasem steps down as host of "American Top 40" and is succeeded by Ryan S

    After hosting the show for over 30 years, Casey Kasem steps down as host of "American Top 40" and is succeeded by Ryan Seacrest

  2. Britney Spears has her surprise marriage annulled less than 55 hours after tying the knot with childhood friend Jason Al

    Britney Spears has her surprise marriage annulled less than 55 hours after tying the knot with childhood friend Jason Alexander at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas

  3. Mark Zuckerberg launches Facebook from his Harvard dormitory room

    Mark Zuckerberg launches Facebook from his Harvard dormitory room

  4. American singer-songwriter Solange Knowles (17) weds Texas Southern University football player Daniel Smith (19) at Old

    American singer-songwriter Solange Knowles (17) weds Texas Southern University football player Daniel Smith (19) at Old Bahama Bay Resort in Grand Bahama Island; divorce in 2007

  5. Luciano Pavarotti performs in his final opera, "Tosca," at New York's Metropolitan Opera

    Luciano Pavarotti (12 October 1935 – 6 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most...

Events After

  1. Sydney, Australia, swelters through its hottest New Year's Day on record, with the temperature peaking at 45.8 degrees C

    Sydney, Australia, swelters through its hottest New Year's Day on record, with the temperature peaking at 45.8 degrees Celsius, sparking bushfires and power outages

  2. American actor Eddie Murphy (44) divorces Nicole Mitchell after 13 years of marriage

    Edward Regan Murphy is an American comedian, actor, and singer. He had his breakthrough as a stand-up comic before gaining stardom for his film roles; he is widely recognized as one of the greatest…

  3. Actor-writer Charlie Shanian (39) divorces former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Tori Spelling (32) only 15 months after t

    Actor-writer Charlie Shanian (39) divorces former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Tori Spelling (32) only 15 months after their lavish $1-million wedding

  4. Nepalese security forces open fire on pro-democracy protesters demonstrating against King Gyanendra, injuring hundreds.

    Nepalese security forces open fire on pro-democracy protesters demonstrating against King Gyanendra, injuring hundreds. The protesters secure the restoration of parliament and a federal state

  5. "Dallas" actress Victoria Principal (56) divorces plastic surgeon Harry Glassman (63) due to irreconcilable differences

    "Dallas" actress Victoria Principal (56) divorces plastic surgeon Harry Glassman (63) due to irreconcilable differences after nearly 21 years of marriage

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 29, 2005?
Eris (minor-planet designation: 136199 Eris) is the most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System. It is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) in the scattered disk and has a high-eccentricity orbit. Eris was discovered in January 2005 by a Palomar Observatory–based team led by Mike Brown and verified later that year.
Why is Astronomers announce their discovery of dwarf planet Eris significant?
Eris (minor-planet designation: 136199 Eris) is the most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System.

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July 29 in HistoryYear 2005