I know it still exists... but why do scientist say that it doesnt?
2006-10-21 13:26:08 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When Pluto was first discovered it was thought by some to be bigger than the Earth. Since then better measurements have shown it to be much, much smaller. Recently more objects about the same size have been found. They were really too small to be called planets but since they were around the same size as Pluto, either they had to be called planets or Pluto had to be demoted to be consistent. At the recent meeting of the International Astronomical Union the non-unanimous vote was that it was no longer to be called a planet.
By the way, NASA had little or nothing to do with it and school systems had even less. The science that is taught in elementary and high schools is a tiny fraction of what is known.
Scientists reclassify things all the time as better information comes in. Usually they reclassify bacteria, plants or sometimes animals or rocks. This almost never makes the news even though it is more likely to be important to us because these things are here on Earth. Pluto is a very long way away and as recently as 1929 nobody even knew it was there.
The only people who have a right to have an opinion on this are those with detailed knowledge of the solar system and astronomical classification schemes, whether they are stuffed shirts or not. What anybody else thinks actually does not count.
If that offends you, tough.
2006-10-21 14:25:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto still exists, but scientists do not consider it as a planet because it is too small. They have found many other objects the size of Pluto and they aren't considered planets.
2006-10-21 18:14:23 · answer #2 · answered by =] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto continues to exist. The classification of Pluto as a celestial body was changed. Until 2 months ago Pluto was considered a "planet". Now it falls in the category of "dwarf planet"
2006-10-21 13:30:10 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. J. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no pluto still exists but scientists recently clarified teh definition of a planet and with the new specific definition pluto no longer qualifies as a planet. but i think the definition actually added a few.
2006-10-21 13:35:13 · answer #4 · answered by poof10958 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I am not mistaken it has been downgraded to a comet of some sort or just a revolving rock. Someone else might have a better answer, but I have heard that they have taken Pluto off the planet list.
2006-10-21 13:35:15 · answer #5 · answered by greylady 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The all-powerful IAU (..International Astronomical Union) has declared that Pluto is not a "planet." The stuffed shirts of the IAU have declared that it's merely a "dwarf planet." Arf..!
2006-10-21 13:46:21 · answer #6 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto is no longer a planet... it's moon (Charon) is almost as big as Pluto.. both are so far from the earth that they can barely be seen by the most powerful telescopes....
2006-10-21 13:34:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scientists know perfectly well that it exists still. They have just RECLASSIFIED it as a dwarf planet.
2006-10-21 14:41:46 · answer #8 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto isn't considered a planet anymore.... it's still there though.
2006-10-21 13:29:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's no longer classified as a planet. They did so because Pluto is smaller than some moons-Jupiter's, for instance.
2006-10-21 13:28:16 · answer #10 · answered by tye_dyedfan 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋