The dwarf planet at the edge
Pluto
Sunlight takes 5.5 hours to reach Pluto. Charon is half Pluto’s size — the two dance around a common centre of gravity that sits outside both bodies.
- Type
- Dwarf planet (reclassified 2006)
- Distance
- 39.5 AU
- Diameter
- 2,376 km
- Orbit
- 248 Earth years
- Moons
- 5, including Charon
- Model size
- 6.3 cm
- On the Drive
- 156 km from the Sun
- Found
- 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh
Missions
New Horizons flyby 14 July 2015 — heart-shaped Sputnik Planitia, possible subsurface ocean, five moons including Charon.
Country around the board
Merriwa (~800 people, est. 1830s) sits on Gamilaraay lands — important trade and ceremony country. Fuel, toilets and a café are in town. Coolah Tops nearby holds mountain lore of the Butheroe people and King Togee.
Where to look
Search Google Maps for the planet plus the road or town. Boards are large, dark blue, and sit on the five approach roads — then Timor Road and Observatory Road for the inner worlds.
- MerriwaOpen in Maps
- BellataNewell Highway, south of Moree — the northern Pluto boardOpen in Maps
- DubboOpen in Maps
- Birriwa / GulgongOpen in Maps
- TamworthOxley Highway rest area, WestdaleOpen in Maps
No service just now. This board is on your phone. Open in Maps when you next have signal.