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Introduction to Planetary Science

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406 chapter 20<br />

Figure 20.3. Plu<strong>to</strong> and Charon rotate around their center of gravity (G) in the retrograde direction. The numbers identify the<br />

positions of Plu<strong>to</strong> and Charon at four stages during which each rotates through 360 while continuing <strong>to</strong> show the same face<br />

<strong>to</strong> their partner. For example, when Plu<strong>to</strong> is in position 1, Charon is at a distance of 19,636 km on the other side of the center<br />

of gravity as explained in the text. The period of rotation of Plu<strong>to</strong> and Charon is 6.39 days, during which the entire system<br />

moves 2.62 million kilometers in the prograde direction along the orbit of Plu<strong>to</strong>. Data from Hartmann (2005) and <strong>Science</strong><br />

Brief 20.4b

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