Who feels that Pluto is still a planet?

Question

According to the IAU, a planet must:

• Orbit it's central star

• Be big enough for its own gravity to compact it into a sphere

• Have "cleared the neighborhood around its orbit," meaning it is not surrounded by objects of similar size and characteristics.

OK, Pluto clearly meets the first two criteria, but can someone tell me if there are any planet-sized objects close to Pluto that would expell Pluto from planethood?

Answer 1

I read about the "decision" by the "esteemed" body of scientists who decided Pluto was no longer a planet based on a "definition" they came up with very recently of what made a planet, which you have cited some of. I wonder what politics are behind that decision, politics in research and sending satellites out there to explore various parts of our solar system and universe. The politics of research dollars. I think the second part of your recollection about why they said it wasn't a planet might be incorrect. I think their concern was that Pluto's orbit was more elliptical than circular,and that it crossed the path of Neptune's orbit, whereas the other eight planets have enough of their own mass and own gravitational pull to stay within their own orbits. Well, I've always been told, ever since grade school, that the earth's orbit was elliptical too, as were the other planets, to one degree or another, so, if they haven't been wrong about that too, then how can they call Earth a planet, since our orbit is elliptical too. As far as I'm concerned, Planet Pluto has been doing fine up there without all those "esteemed" scientists as long as I've been alive, so Planet Pluto will continue being the Ninth (9th) Planet of our Solar System. God Bless you.

Answer 2

To be honest with you to me Pluto es un hijo de Pluta... Lol However we should have a more definite answer by July 14, 2015 when the first spacecraft from Earth flies by Pluto.

Answer 3

I just take it and registered in my mental bank.. I believe the amazing part is that all those countries came together for an understanding, voted and agree on something. That is the amazing part. As Far as Pluto is concern one less planet to display in Science Fairs.... History in the making...

Answer 4

Poor Pluto, we are all very sad about Pluto. Hopefully this decision will be overturned. From what I understand it was voted on by like only 430 scientists in some sort of exclusive Astronomy group.
Maybe it will get reinstated, its not like we are going ot visit Pluto any time soon.

Answer 5

I/we were taught in school that there are nine planets and these IAU guys now inform me that Pluto isn't a planet. That is a load of crap. I personally don't care what IAU says there are still nine planets in my opinion.

Answer 6

they replaced pluto with charon, one of plutos moons, although i don't know why.charon orbits the sun because pluto orbits the sun.I think pluto should still be classified a planet.

Answer 7

i am with u guy su cant change somethign u belive by heart it slike saying that there wrong and the world its not round ( technally it isnt its elliptical but u get my point) and its squared or something like that its madness i tell u madness!

We love u pluto ull alway sbe a planet in my heart lmao

Answer 8

Yeah, it is called Charon, formally known as the moon of Pluto. It is about as big as Pluto itself.

Answer 9

I still want to believe it is. Pluto has always been my favorite planet, next to Earth that is. Maybe it's because of the Disney dog of the same name but, none the less, it was my favorite.

Answer 10

Pluto will be always a planet to me!!! but the new generation will have a better perspective about the space.