Pluto is out?

Question

Is it true Pluto got the boot because it isn't made up of solid mass?

Answer 1

I don't think it was due to solid mass otherwise planets like Jupiter wouldn't qualify. I think it was more on its size.

Here's a small effort to help restore Pluto as a planet. Check out http://pleasesavepluto.org/ and even if the decision is not revoked, we can at least send the fools at IAU a petition with a long list of signatures.

Answer 2

It's not just the size that got Pluto reclassified. The definition of a planet that the astronomers finally agreed upon requires that it not only orbit the sun and have sufficient mass to assume a round shape, but that it also "clears out" other objects near its orbit, which Pluto doesn't do. It's located in an area of space with lots of other similar objects, and it's orbit overlaps Neptune, as well as some of those other non-planets.

Answer 3

Yes It is out and the reason being Pluto has an eccentric orbit that is highly inclined with respect to the planets and takes it closer to the Sun than Neptune during a portion of its orbit. It is smaller than several natural satellites or moons in our solar system . Pluto itself has a large moon named Charon; two smaller moons named Nix and Hydra were discovered in 2006. It is also done because the IAU has changed the defination of a "planet" to -
The object must be in orbit around a star, but not be a star itself.
The object must be massive enough to be a sphere by its own gravitational force.
It must have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.

Answer 4

Yes it was on the news, its not a planet anymore.

Poor pluto

Answer 5

No - not because it isn't made up of solid mass.

It's because some boffins at the IAU think that it's too different from the other eight.

Answer 6

Yep it appear so.
But not without the brainy-types having a right old 2&8 about it first.

Answer 7

It got the boot because of it's gravity, it's size, and it has no atmosphere. Not a planet in my book.