What do you think about pluto not being a planet any longer?

Answer 1

It makes me sad.

Answer 2

Pluto, the last planet to join the heavenly pantheon, became the first to leave it. The status of Pluto had been under discussion for some time, but with the discovery of 2003 UB313, nicknamed Xena, the question became acute, for it seemingly had as much right as Pluto to be called a planet.

On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union surprised the world by voting in a new definition of planet, one that would exclude Pluto and bring the total number down to eight. (There had previously been been strong speculation that the redefinition would bring the total up to 12 instead of down.)

Pluto was instead classified as a dwarf planet, along with Ceres and the aforementioned Xena. The main difference between a dwarf planet and the real thing is that the dwarf variety has not cleared the area of its orbital path.

This redefinition met with a wave of protests from those who wanted to see the ninth planet grandfathered in, including but not limited to supporters of the late Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto in 1930. His widow, however, said he would have been accepting of the IAU's decision since "he was a scientist" and understood that astronomers had to take into account newly discovered objects in the Kuiper Belt (where Pluto is located).

But opponents of Pluto's demotion remain unconsoled and have generated a thriving industry in T-shirts, mugs and other memorabilia. Among the many slogans of this movement was one which played on the mnemonic for the names of the erstwhile nine:

"My! Very educated morons just screwed up numerous planetariums."

Answer 3

Pluto is still a planet; it has just been kicked out of the top group. However, historically I will always remember Pluto as the 9th planet discovered.

Politically it is sad, but scientifically it doesn't matter what you call it, it is still Pluto. And to misquote Shakespeare; A Pluto by any other name is still a Pluto. The distinction had to be made because Pluto is a paired planet system, and other larger planets have been found. As we explore the outer limits of our solar system we may find even more planets.

Answer 4

This is not a bereavement situation. It is more like a football team being relegated to a lower division.

It is now one of three Dwarf Planets, a new category that has been created for it, along with the asteroid 1 Ceres and the Scattered Disc Object Eris (previously known as Xena)

There are another eleven Trans-Neptunian Objects under consideration for inclusion in this category; Charon, Ixion, Orcus, Quaoar, Sedna, Varuna, "Easterbunny", "Santa" and 2002 TC302, 2002 UX25 and 2002 TX300.

Being smaller than the largest 7 moons of the solar system always meant Pluto's status as a planet was shaky and uncertain.

Answer 5

I'm 52 years old and was tought it was a planet, So in my Book it will always be a planet. Next thing I know, They will be telling me the Moon is not made of Cheese! Ha,Ha,Ha!

Answer 6

It's now a "dwarf planet", along with Ceres and the unofficially-named Xena.

Which means that those insensitive clods at the IAU have no respect for the size-challenged celestial bodies!

Answer 7

Someday they are gonna say that Jupiter is not a planet anymore because it is too big to be a planet. Believe me, someday they are gonna say the earth is the only planet. Fools!

Answer 8

not really give a sheat


what soem sitist calsifie pluto

Answer 9

it makes me sad that i won't be able to say pluto is my favorite planet, i guess i'll just have to say saturn...............okay now i'm over it

Answer 10

I wanna go back to my 3rd grade teacher and get my grade changed!