why do they call Pluto a dorf planet ?

Answer 1

G'day Esbryana S,

Thank you for your question.

A dwarf planet is a category of celestial bodies in the solar system defined in a resolution passed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on August 24, 2006. The definition currently applies only to the Sun's solar system. It applies only to the English language, and terminology may differ in other languages. In the usage approved by the IAU, the category "dwarf planet" is distinct from that of "planet" and also from another new category, "Small Solar-System Body". Dwarf planets were also going to be called plutons.

The resolution describes a dwarf planet as an object that:

* Is in orbit around the Sun
* Has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape
* Has not "cleared the neighbourhood" around its orbit
* Is not a satellite of a planet, or other nonstellar body

It differs from the definition of the planet in that the dwarf planet has not cleared its orbital neighbourhood. This definition reclassified Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet because it has not cleared the neighbourhood of its orbit (the Kuiper Belt).

Dwarf planets are traditionally known as minor planets along with smaller objects.

I have attached some sources for your reference.

Regards

Answer 2

Pluto was first discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930 through
multiple observations of the planetary system. Advances in telescope
technology and further discoveries of planetary bodies in the 21st century
started the debate on the status of Pluto as a planet. The IAU on 24 Aug 06
decided to adopt a set of new rules for a planet: "a celestial body that is
in orbit around the sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to
overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a nearly round shape, and has
cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit." In essence, the oblong orbit
of Pluto that goes into Neptune’s elliptical orbital path disqualifies
Pluto as one of the planets in the solar system.

You may find the following information on Pluto useful:

1. International Astronomical Union and the resolution on the definition
of a planet
http://www.iau.org/
http://www.iau2006.org/mirror/www.iau.org/iau0603/index.html

2. Pluto gets the boot:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/08/24/pluto.ap/index.html

3. It's official--Pluto's out
http://news.com.com/Images+Its+official--Plutos+out/2300-11397_3-6106240.html?tag=st.bp.story

4. Information about Pluto
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto

5. Clyde Tombaugh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Tombaugh

Answer 3

"The 2006 redefinition of "planet" by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) states that, in the solar system, a planet is a celestial body that is in orbit around the Sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes the shape of a body in hydrostatic equilibrium (that is, it is nearly round), and has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit. A non-satellite body fulfilling only the first two criteria is classified as a "dwarf planet", whilst a non-satellite body fulfilling only the first criterion is termed a "small solar system body" (SSSB). The redefinition has been criticized and remains controversial."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearing_the_neighbourhood

Answer 4

In German dorf means village and village is small. Do you perhaps mean dwarf? Again ... because it's small; only now they say it isn't a planet!

Answer 5

Pluto isn't a planet anymore. But maybe because it was so small?

Answer 6

Because only 'dorfs' ask about it!

Answer 7

first its not dorf its dwarf. second its because of its size

Answer 8

It's called a "dwarf planet", they have declared it too small to be a planet.

Answer 9

if pluto is out won't mickey be upset??