Charon

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Charon
Charon
Charon from pluto_pack.zip in Orbiter 2003P2
Designation
Name Charon
Reference body 134340 Pluto
Number of satellites
Planetary mean orbits
Epoch J2000 (1 January 2000)
Semimajor axis (a) 19 600 000 m
Eccentricity (e) 0.0
Inclination (i) 99°
(1.72787596 radian)
Longitude of the ascending node (LAN, ☊)
(0 radian)
Longitude of periapsis (ϖ) 114.591559°
(2 radian)
Mean longitude (L)
(0 radian)
Selected physical parameters
Mean radius 593000 m
Mass 3.3×1021 kg
Sidereal rotation period -551858 sec (153.294 hours)
SidRotOffset 0
Obliquity 0° (0 radian)
Note *Elements given are from Charon.cfg (pluto_pack.zip)

Charon is the largest natural satellite of Pluto. Its radius is about half that of Pluto, and their barycentre lies outside both objects. This is a common definition of a binary object, leading some astronomers to consider them a double dwarf planet.

Charon was discovered in 1978 by James W Christy.

From the discovery of Nix and Hydra, it was possible to estimate Charon's mass as roughly 10% that of Pluto. This implies it's approximately 45% ice, thought mostly to be water ice.

Charon in Orbiter

Charon was introduced to Orbiter with the release of pluto_pack.zip in July 2004.

Orbiter versions and add-ons which include Charon
Add-on Source Version Author Type Release Date Compatibility Wiki article
Pluto Pack AVSIM CharlotMan Scenery 17 July 2004

Gallery