What are the similarities and differences between the dwarf planets in the solar system?

Dwarf planets are celestial bodies that are similar to planets but differ in size, orbit, and other properties. In the solar system, there are five recognized dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. While they share some similarities, each dwarf planet is unique and has distinct features.

One of the main similarities between the dwarf planets is their small size compared to the eight planets. All five dwarf planets have diameters of less than 2,400 kilometers, while the smallest planet, Mercury, has a diameter of 4,879 kilometers. Another similarity is that they all orbit the sun, but they have different orbital periods and distances from the sun.

The differences between the dwarf planets are more noticeable. For example, Ceres is the closest dwarf planet to the sun and the only one located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is also the largest object in the asteroid belt and contains about one-third of its mass. Pluto, on the other hand, is located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune and was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. It has a highly elliptical orbit and is much smaller than Ceres.

Haumea, Makemake, and Eris are also located in the Kuiper Belt and have unique features. Haumea has an oblong shape and rotates rapidly, completing one rotation every four hours. Makemake is the second brightest object in the Kuiper Belt and has a reddish color due to the presence of methane on its surface. Eris is the largest dwarf planet and is about 27% more massive than Pluto.