Wiki Word: Charon

PRONOUNCIATION KEY:  CARE-on
 

 

 

 

 

Definition: Largest of Pluto's three moons

Discovered By: James W. Christy

Discovered On: June 22, 1978

Other Moons of Pluto: Nix(also Nox,Nyx) and Hydra

Status: moon or double dwarf planet (with Pluto being the other planet)

Original Name:/S/1978 P 1
History: Charon is the ferryman of the Underworld who takes the dead across the River Styx. Pluto (Hades) is the Lord of the Underworld, so it makes sense that the moon's name is Charon. In ancient Greece, people would be buried with a coin under their tongue so that they could pay to be taken across Styx and wouldn't have to be forced to wander the banks for a hundred years. Pretty harsh punishment for your family forgetting to put a coin under your tongue, isn't it?

 Pluto and CharonPluto and its three known moons.what Pluto and its moons would look like

So What? Section: Pluto is the smallest planet of our Solar System, the Milky Way. Right now we are studying the Planets and their moons, so this could really help us if there was ever a question on Pluto's moons or Greek mythology on a quiz.

For more information on Pluto:

http://www.solarviews.com/eng/pluto.htm

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Pluto

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/plutofact.html

For more information on Charon the moon:

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/pluto/charon.html&edu=elem

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060104_charon_moon.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/c/charon_(moon).htm

For more information on Charon in mythology:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charon_(mythology)

http://www.pantheon.org/articles/c/charon.html

http://www.in2greece.com/english/historymyth/mythology/names/charon.htm

1."Charon (moon)." Wikipedia. 27 Apr 2008. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 29 Apr 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charon_%28moon%29>. 

2."Charon." Encyclopedia Mythica. 27 March 2002. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. 15 May 2008 <www.pantheon.org/articles/c/charon.html>.

3.Russell, Randy. "Charon-largest moon of Pluto." Windows to the Universe. 23 Jan 2006. Windows to the Universe. 15 May 2008 <http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/pluto/charon.html&edu=elem>.

4. Britt, Robert Roy. "Size of Pluto's Moon Charon Pinned Down." SPACE.com. 4 Jan 2006. Imaginova Corp.. 15 May 2008 <http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060104_charon_moon.html>.

Orginal Author: 

 Name (First Name and Last Initial) Class Period
 Stephie W.  6th

 

Status:

 Date Status                  
 4/29/08  Started
 5/1/08  Completed
   

KEY:

  • Started = This wiki has been started, but is not yet finished. Original Author has 2 weeks to complete or page becomes fair game for someone else to adopt.
  • Completed = This wiki is ready to be assessed for a grade.
  • Graded = Mrs. Flynt has graded this wiki. Original Author has 2 weeks to improve and then page opens for peer edits.
  • Open for Editing = The author has has relinquished control. This page is now open for peer editing and changes to improve its usefulness.

 

Peer Editing:

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