Pluto? Is it a planet?

Question

Pluto? Is it a planet? Is it consider a planet? What does the scientist have to said?

Answer 1

I found this:


A PLANET IS: any large, spherical, natural object which directly orbits a star, and does not generate heat by nuclear fusion. This definition is simple, is based on a physical definition of how large an object must be to be considered a planet, and without modification it will give the same results when applied to any planetary system. This definition distinguishes planets from asteroids and comets, which directly orbit our star, but are generally not large enough to be pulled into a spherical shape by their own gravity, and it distinguishes planets from stars, which frequently are in direct orbit around other stars, but generate heat internally by nuclear fusion. According to this definition, Pluto is clearly a planet.

Some astronomers argue that Pluto is not a planet. In particular, the views of 3 astronomers been presented extensively by the news media and in popular literature in recent years. However, they have yet to offer a simple, concise, generally applicable definition of what a planet is - they simply offer a list of comparisons between some of Pluto's properties and some of the properties of some of the other objects in the solar system. Such a relativistic definition of what qualities define a planet is cumbersome, arbitrary, and scientifically unsatisfying.




pluto orbits the sun, therefore it is a planet.

Answer 2

Because of Pluto's eccentric orbit and it's small size (smaller than Earth's moon), scientists have been debating on whether or not Pluto should actually be called a Planet. It acts more like other Kuiper Belt objects than traditional planets. Also, if they chose to keep Pluto part of the solar system, then they have to consider Xena which has similar properties to Pluto (although Xena is larger). We just might have 10 planets soon.

As of now, NASA is going to see Pluto up close. New Horizons (spacecraft) just launched earlier this year, and it will take 9 years to reach Pluto in 2015. By the time it arrives, we can only hope the IAU has made up their minds so we can know for sure if Pluto is really a planet.


My opinion: I say leave the poor Planet alone.

Answer 3

Yes, Pluto is considered to be a planet. Scientists are going to pass a resolution adding three more planets to the existing 9.

Answer 4

It is currently considered a planet, and after the new definition of planet is passed, there will be 3 other planets in the solar system for a total of 12.

Answer 5

There are some who think Pluto would be better classified as a large asteroid or comet rather than as a planet. Some consider it to be one of the larger Kuiper Belt objects (also known as Trans-Neptunian Objects).

There is considerable merit to the latter position, but historically Pluto has been classified as a planet and it is very likely to remain so.

And of course, he is also Mickey's dog.

Answer 6

Despite the 12-day meeting in Prague by the International Astronomical Unbion to consider Pluto, Xena, Charon and Ceres, Pluto meets the basic criteria for being a planet

1. The object must orbit around a star while not be a star itself.

2. The object must have sufficient mass

3. The object must have a diameter greater than 497 miles for its own gravity to pull it into a nearly round shape

Answer 7

Yes Pluto is a planet. It is the farthest planet from the sun and by far the coldest.
Pluto is also the name of Mickey Mouse's pet dog.

Answer 8

Well actually I'd like to contradict many answers that have been suggested.

Scientists are now debating whether to take Pluto out of the Solar System as it is just a big rock. So depending on what you believe is the correct answers :)

Answer 9

It all depends on the criteria applied. If they grade Ceres as a planet, then Pluto will remain a planet.
Never mind the KBO's that are at least planet sized.

Answer 10

It...is a planet! And the name Pluto is also Mickey's Dog!