What is the controversy with Pluto and NASA? What in the hell is NASA trying to do to it?

Question

Well, I'm a facebook and a couple of my friends have joined the "Save Pluto....Fcuk NASA", and I don't understand what NASA wants to do, or is planning on doing to Pluto, any knowlegde on this would be awesome!! Thanks.

Thanks. And yes I will let them know that it wasn't NASA.

Answer 1

Pluto Demoted!
Not a planet anymore
New Definition of a Planet
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted on an official definition of the word "planet" at their general assembly on Aug. 24, 2006. Celestial bodies must meet the following conditions in order to be classified as planets: (1) The object must be in orbit around a star, while not being itself a star, (2) the body must be massive enough for its own gravity to pull it into a nearly spherical shape, and (3) the object has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit. The last criterion is the one that led to Pluto's demotion. While the exact parameters of "clearing the neighborhood" have not been set, the other planets have either assimilated or repulsed most other objects in their orbits, and each has more mass than the combined total of everything else in its area. The same cannot be said for Pluto, which has turned out to be one of many objects in its orbit.

Pluto is Out!
Pluto's new classification is "dwarf planet," while the eight planets remaining—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are planets. The dwarf planet definition mirrors the planet definition in the first two conditions. The third condition says that the object has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and the fourth states that it is not a satellite. A dwarf planet does not meet the third condition of a planet, but it must meet a fourth: a dwarf planet cannot be a satellite. As a result, Pluto's satellite Charon, briefly considered as a full-fledged planet in the solar system, is back to being a moon. The term "pluton" was rejected and the name for this class will be decided upon in the future.

Others Considered for "Planethood"
The asteroid Ceres (classified a planet when first discovered in the 1800s) and Eris (previously nicknamed "Xena"), both formerly under consideration for planetary status, are now out. Ceres and Eris have joined Pluto as dwarfs. The IAU also has a dozen candidate planets awaiting future designation as dwarf planets, including Sedna, Orcus, Quaoar, Varuna, Ixion—all found beyond Pluto; the asteroids Vesta, Pallas, and Hygiea; and four yet unnamed bodies (2003 EL61, 2005 FY9, 2002 TX300, and 2002 AW197).

Also defined was "Small Solar System Bodies" as all other objects except satellites orbiting the Sun. These include the asteroids, Trans-Neptunian Objects, comets and other small bodies.

Answer 2

I assume they're referring to Pluto's demotion to a dwarf planet, which means that Pluto is not considered a planet anymore by the astronomical community. The problem with this is that NASA defers to the International Astronomical Union(IAU) on matters of determining what an interstellar object is. In short, NASA had nothing to do whatsoever with Pluto's demotion, so you should mock your Facebook friends for being morons. (A quick glance at the group reveals that someone has already bashed them for blaming NASA.)

Answer 3

Did you know that we are actually on our way to Pluto right now. We sent a probe about 8 months ago. It will get there in 14 years. NASA love Pluto. They want to see it up close. http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/

In some ways I do agree with you. I know that Pluto is WAY off the Solar ecliptic, but we now know that it has 3 moons. That's a lot to not be a planet. I guess Eros has a moon, but it's not round.

I think the term 'planet' is just a label. It doesn't give it privileges.

Answer 4

First things first. I too think Pluto is a planet and should stay that way.
Next, coming to NASA.....I think you got the wrong perception. NASA didnt have anything to do with this. NASA is not the one that decided about the fate of pluto's planetary status. It's the International Astronomical Union (IAU), who decided. IAU has astronomers from all over the world, and it is they who decide on such things. So just because it has something to do with space science doesnt mean that NASA is involved in that. Its the IAU. :-)
Hope that answers your question regarding NASA's involvement in Pluto's planetary status.

Answer 5

Well, NASA actually isn't doing anything to Pluto.

The IAU (as the other fella pointed out) voted to NOT classify Pluto as a planet any longer. I guess it isn't deserving of the status. It is too small, and more importantly its' orbit is too elliptical.

I think your friends on "facebook" need to research a little more before creating pointless fabrications that have nothing to do with NASA. You might want to point this fact out to them. Perhaps they will be grateful!

Answer 6

What does it matter?

Calling something a planet or not is just a classification scheme. With the new information that we have about Pluto, it no longer meets the description of "planet".

But who really cares? It's not like it's going away.

Answer 7

NASA has NOTHING to do with defining what a planet is or isn't. That's the job of the International Astronomical Union.

Answer 8

Pluto is no longer a planet(by definition), and tell your friends that it was the International Astronomical Union that did the demoting, not Nasa. It was, and still is, hotly debated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_redefinition_of_planet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto#IAU_Decision

Answer 9

Pluto is going to be demoted. Pluto is not a real plant if you think about it. They say it was captured by the sun just like the Kuiper belt objects.

Answer 10

I'm with you, save Pluto! No Knowledge though.