2006-08-24 15:02:27 · 11 answers · asked by Mo 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Because scientists have nothing better to do with their time.
2006-08-24 15:08:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The astronomy community have been debating about Pluto's status as a planet since it's discovery in 1930.
The IAU (International Astronomical Union) is the governing body that allocate names to the celestial objects in our universe.
The members (or some of them at least) have voted to demote Pluto because it is apparently most unlike the other eight planets in that it has not cleared the neighbourhood around it's orbit.
Some articles are saying that means because Pluto has an eccentric orbit that is not in the same plane as the other eight and because it's orbit also cuts inside Neptune it's not a planet.
I'm sorry, if I'm not getting it, but that is not how I understand the new definition. Pluto is demoted because within it's orbital neighbourhood there are many similar objects like Pluto including Charon it's smaller twin celestial body and 2003UB313 also nicknamed 'Xena'.
2006-08-24 22:37:53 · answer #2 · answered by philturner66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMO, it's clearly a planet. They say that it's not big enough to be a planet, but it's big enough to have a moon AND big enough to be spherical. Charon may be *close* to the size of Pluto, but since it orbits Pluto, it's clearly a moon. They also say that there are asteroids in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter that are close to the size of Pluto, BUT:
1. None of them are large enough to be spherical, and
2. They're all so close to each other, that it doesn't "clear the neighborhood".
2006-08-24 22:24:33 · answer #3 · answered by Clean Independent Energy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything is a conspiracy. This was done by the CIA special space branch to get one's attention turned away from the massive Moon base being built by George W. Bush as I type this. This is a part of the, "In Your Face From Outer Space", project that is currently underway as Bush intends to use biological weapons on certain human races here on Earth. Only the neoconservatives' genes will be getting passed on in the future when they return to Earth after destroying most of all life on Earth.
2006-08-24 22:12:46 · answer #4 · answered by fenx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a bunch of busy-body nobodies. Pluto's been a planet as long as I've been alive, more than 50 years, and in my books it'll be a planet for as long as I live. God Bless you.
2006-08-24 22:12:37 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THEY are the astronomers. This is their job to do such things.
Last time the major league commisary changed the baseball rules, who was there to say he was not allowed to do so? Same thing here.
Let the scientists who are the real experts in the matter make the ruling.
2006-08-24 22:10:36 · answer #6 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the first place,I think Pluto might have been spelled wrongly or what???
2006-08-24 22:28:27 · answer #7 · answered by JAL3430 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're the International Astronomical Union, that's who. You can't oppose them. They're just... too strong. [Hangs head]
2006-08-24 22:10:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
its a Dwarf planet, r not small ppl "Drawfs", and yet still r ppl
2006-08-24 22:10:41 · answer #9 · answered by Derrick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because they studied that for years...
2006-08-24 22:07:35 · answer #10 · answered by adriana 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋