2006-09-09 18:05:45 · 14 answers · asked by Janet C 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
pluto is not a planet because pluto orbits the sun, is round, does not have an isolated orbit (a bunch of other similar bodies have similar orbits.), and is not a satellite it is defined as a dwarf planet. this does not change anything about the solar system or pluto. it just corrects the mistake of classifying pluto as a planet initially.
i have been waiting for this since i was about twelve. i feel somewhat satisfied. i knew that pluto didn't fit the pattern set by the major bodies in the solar system so it was an anomaly. it just felt illogical and "out of place". this was the right thing to do, believe me. i don't understand why so many are having such a problem with this.
i don't know how long this will drag on tho. many planetary scientists are not satisfied that the definition is not rigorous enough.
http://www.iau.org/fileadmin/content/pdfs/Resolution_GA26-5-6.pdf
2006-09-10 05:35:48 · answer #1 · answered by warm soapy water 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are so many "rocks" out there, they have arbitrarily decided on a certain minimum size for the definition "planet". Unfortunately Pluto is smaller than this silly definition. Just scientist trying to make themselves feel important. Also, there is a suggestion that they are trying to engage the public's interest in astronomy. I wouldn't be surprised that at the next conference in a few years' time they redefine & Pluto is a planet again.
Remember that "Pluto" as we know it is really two planets orbiting round each other - Pluto & Charon, although as Charon is supposed to be slightly smaller it is sometimes called a moon of Pluto. After all, our moon is just a big chunk of rock, and the Earth & Moon are orbiting round each other, although as there is such a big difference in size the effect of the moon on the Earth's orbit is very small. Charon, however, has a massive effect on Pluto because it is of a similar size to Pluto.
2006-09-10 05:04:00 · answer #2 · answered by notatsi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pluto is not considered a planet anymore becuz the scientists hav been arguing for quite sometime and they hav come to the conclusion that :
a-Pluto is not large enough to be considered a planet
b- Pluto is too far away from the sun to be considered a planet
c-Pluto is made up of no gases or land....it is just ice
Hence, scientists have come to the conclusion that pluto is just a small,distant ball of ice not a planet!
2006-09-10 02:12:26 · answer #3 · answered by drishti p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A full-fledged planet is defined as the largest mass in its region. Pluto was discovered to actually coincide with the orbit pattern of Uranus, thus being in it's region, so it was then downgraded to a dwarf planet.
2006-09-10 01:19:16 · answer #4 · answered by Double Century Dude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry Jim B, Pluto was only a planet from 1930, so only 75 years of anybody's life.
2006-09-11 06:54:46 · answer #5 · answered by andrew g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because its orbit doesn't influence that of other planets or anything else around that area.
Relax! Pluto never knew it was called a planet anyway.
2006-09-10 01:29:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may call it what ever you like. It was a planet for 48 years of my life and I bet it was a planet for 100 years of somes lifes. So to me it will all ways be a planet but now with a foot note.
2006-09-10 01:12:10 · answer #7 · answered by Don K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto is not classified as a planet anymore because scientists believe it is too small to be classified.
2006-09-10 03:24:50 · answer #8 · answered by Syphcis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we really have to consider how Pluto is going to take this. What if it gets angry? What if it wants revenge? What if slips away from it's 'irregular' orbit and comes smashing for earth....
2006-09-10 02:58:25 · answer #9 · answered by zombie_togo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because President Bush and Tony Blair Haven't sent any troops there.
2006-09-10 02:12:54 · answer #10 · answered by mushy peas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋