How many out there know Pluto isn't a planet ?

Question

its actually a chunck of ice. the solar system is surrounded by an ice belt and Pluto is the biggest chunk....anyone dispute this ???

Answer 1

Yes I agree that Pluto is probably too small to really constitute a planet -
however, there is a good chance that it may be "grandfathered" in as a planet - because so many people are so used to calling it a planet, Pluto will still be called a planet for some time.

This is exactly what happened with the Millenium. Of course, January 1, 2000 was really the first day of the last year of the millenium - but it was celebrated as the first day of the new millenium - Why - common practice.

Is Europe really a continent - no, its a subcontinent, but I doubt you will ever see it not listed as one of the seven continents.

Sometimes, facts aren't enough to change things...

Answer 2

I dispute some of this. Pluto is not the largest chunk, there is another one further currently named "2003 UB313" (let's all hope they will settle on a better name soon) which is bigger.

But your question is "how many out there know that Pluto isn't [really] a planet?" and I do not know. I know you do. I know I do (although technically, the definition of planet may be revised just so some can still claim Pluto is a planet -- a bit like cheating if you change the rules as you go along). How many of us? I don't know.

Answer 3

All depends on how you define "planet". The discovery of the multitudes of "minor planets" in the far reaches of the solar system are causing a re-thinking of what makes a planet.

It seems that Pluto will be classified simply as a Kuiper Belt object, a seperate class of objects from planets. However, the Inner Planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are also clearly a different class of objects than the Outer Planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune). So do we need a different label for the Earth and Jupiter, now, too?

Answer 4

The density of Pluto tells us that it is not just ice but contains rock as well. Many of the remote objects in the solar system are ice/rock mixtures, so yes; Pluto could be just another one of those objects. Since we don't know much about its core and formation, we can't be certain if it is truly a planet or not. But since international astronomical societies have called it a planet, then it is one until they change the satus.

Answer 5

Of course that position is disputed. It's part of the Kuiper belt objects, but no one has formally suggested that Pluto be removed from the list of planets.

Chunk of ice or chunk of rock, a planet is a planet until formally and universally removed.

Answer 6

Actually, you're wrong about it not being a planet - until September. It is still a planet until the International Astronomical Union meets in September and at that time they will announce their decision as to whether or not it will keep its designation as a planet. (Trans-Neptunian objects notwithstanding!).

By the way too, it is NOT the largest either. Another was found last fall that was slightly larger than Pluto.

You should find the following web sites enlightening.
http://www.iau.org/TRANS-NEPTUNIAN_OBJECT_2003_UB.324.0.html
http://www.iau.org/STATUS_OF_PLUTO.238.0.html

Answer 7

all i know is that its a planet. the smallest one and the farthest one. so maybe yeah its way out there and its colder there and there could be an ice belt. who knows. but its still a planet to me. pluto is also a cute dog name. hahahahaha

Answer 8

Yeah, i've been there after I landed in UR-ANUS with my big rocket ship. Its true its a chunk of ice.

Answer 9

Yep your absolutely right Pluto is too small to be a planet anyway.

Answer 10

Sounds like another government coverup