is pluto a planet?

Answer 1

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:

Answer 2

The debate isn't what Pluto is. The debate is what the word "planet" means. A small number of astronomers came up with a new, sort of vague definition of planet that kicked Pluto off the adult list, and condemned it to the kiddy planet table.

Answer 3

It's a subjective definition, to be sure. A bunch of scientists got together and said, "nope, not a planet any more." However, for those of us who grew up reciting the NINE planets, Pluto will always be #9.

"Mother Visits Every Monday, Just Stays Until Nearly Payday."

Without Pluto, how long would she stay???

Answer 4

Not anymore. The other planets came together and said "Pluto is being a b i t c h so were going to demote it, to a dwarf planet"

The lowest of the low.

Answer 5

Some scientists think that Pluto is an escaped moon. It surely would be happier being called a moon rather than a planetoid. The word moon is more heavenly while the word planetoid sounds pretty nerdy.

Perhaps astronomers would like to be more scientifically correct this time?

Answer 6

The astronomers have decided that Pluto is no longer considered a planet. It is just "dwaft planet" due to its small size

Answer 7

It's still a planet but it is now called a dwarf planet. Its name changed but not what makes it a planet.

Answer 8

Yes, it's been officially downgraded to a 'Dwarf planet' Beside Charon, it's moon, they have discovered two more moon's, orbiting Pluto.

Answer 9

It's still a planet, but it was just downgraded too a dwarf planet, because it's too little too be considered a planet.

Answer 10

pluto is now dwarfy planet. and I thought all the time pluto was a dog.