February 18

Pluto Day

Take some time out of your day to celebrate Pluto Day - explore the mysteries of the solar system and discover something new!

Yearly Date

February 18

Observed in

United States

Introduction

Get ready to celebrate Pluto Day on Feb. 18 with a bang! This day is dedicated to the discovery of the dwarf planet, which was first identified in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. Since then, it has been studied and celebrated by scientists and astronomers around the world for its unique characteristics, including its eccentric orbit and mysterious atmosphere. So grab your telescope or binoculars and get ready to join in on all of the fun that comes with celebrating this celestial body!

Pluto Day Timeline

1930

Pluto's Discovery

On February 18, 1930, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.

1978

Charon Discovery

Pluto's largest moon, Charon, was discovered by astronomer James Christy on June 22, 1978, enhancing our understanding of the distant world.

1992

Kuiper Belt Theory Confirmation

The first object in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the solar system beyond Neptune where Pluto resides, was discovered in 1992, confirming the existence of this theoretical region.

2006

Pluto Reclassification

In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the definition of a planet, leading to Pluto's reclassification as a "dwarf planet".

2015

New Horizons Flyby

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft performed a flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015, providing the most detailed images and data about Pluto to date.

Annually

Pluto Day Celebration

Every year on February 18, Pluto Day is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of this distant dwarf planet.

How to Celebrate Pluto Day

1 Visit a planetarium

Take a trip to your nearest planetarium and take in all the wonders of our solar system, including Pluto. Learn about the history of Pluto and its discovery.

2 Watch a movie about Pluto

Turn on a movie that focuses on Pluto. Whether it's an animated adventure or a documentary about the dwarf planet, you will learn so much more about this mysterious world.

3 Host a Pluto party

Invite friends over for a Pluto themed party. Decorate with images of the dwarf planet, make out of this world snacks, and learn more about this little known solar system inhabitant.

4 Read up on Pluto

Do some research and find out more about the fascinating history of Pluto by reading books or searching online.

5 Create art inspired by Pluto

Channel your creative energy into something that celebrates the dwarf planet. Draw, paint, or sculpt something inspired by Pluto and share it with the world!

Why Pluto Day is Important

It reminds us of our space exploration history

Pluto Day is a reminder that the history of space exploration is extremely important. It was on Mars 24, 1930 when Clyde W. Tombaugh discovered Pluto - a historic moment that opened up the door for humanity to explore even further into outer space and understand more about our universe.

It serves as an inspiration for future scientific discoveries

The discovery of Pluto back in 1930 proved to be a major stepping stone for humanity's understanding of the universe. Every year, Pluto Day serves as an inspirational reminder to never stop learning and exploring new frontiers in science and technology!

It promotes international collaboration

The worldwide celebration of Pluto Day is indicative of how global collaboration and cooperation can lead to amazing research results. It shows that we can achieve astronomically great things together with dedication, enthusiasm, and support from all corners of the globe.