2006-12-17 14:24:47 · 20 answers · asked by kyruz_003 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It is no longer a planet, and rightly so. It would grow a tail if it came near the sun, like a comet, and that is no kind of behavior for a planet.
2006-12-17 15:45:15 · answer #1 · answered by incorrigible_misanthrope 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that is still an on going debate. There are supporters on both sides.
Wikipedia is usually very up to date...
"Pluto's official status as a planet has been a constant subject of controversy, fueled by the past lack of a clear definition of planet, since at least as early as 1992, when the first Kuiper Belt Object, (15760) 1992 QB1, was discovered. Since then, further discoveries intensified the debate in the 21st century."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto
2006-12-17 22:27:59 · answer #2 · answered by DiRTy D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto is a frigid ball of ice and rock that orbits far from the Sun on the frozen fringes of our Solar System. Considered a planet, though a rather odd one, from its discovery in 1930 until 2006, it was officially stripped of its status as our Solar System's 9th planet by the International Astronomical Union in August 2006.
2006-12-17 22:33:31 · answer #3 · answered by ticklemeblue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They decided that it's too small.
The resolution
The decision establishes three main categories of objects in our solar system.
Planets: The eight worlds starting with Mercury and moving out to Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Dwarf planets: Pluto and any other round object that "has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and is not a satellite."
Small solar system bodies: All other objects orbiting the sun.
2006-12-17 22:26:00 · answer #4 · answered by Rewind 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most scientists agree that pluto is not a planet.
some reasons i heard was:
- its comet made of ice
- its a captured by the sun's gravity
- its a possible moon of neptune
- its too small
these are just reasons i heard... no sources for them, sorry.
another interesting thing i found out is that astronomers discovered 2 new planets of this solar system beyond pluto
2006-12-17 22:33:59 · answer #5 · answered by XB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pluto remains where it has been. the definition has changed. there is still debate on this matter but school books will reflect the findings. pluto just isn't big enuff to clear it's own orbit of all other objects (swings inside other planet's orbits).
2006-12-17 22:29:59 · answer #6 · answered by johnjohnwuzhere 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup, Pluto has been sent to the doghouse. He didn't have the characteristics of a planet. (Wonder where they'll put Uranus?)
2006-12-17 22:29:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes because it is considered a dwarf planet and not big enough to be a planet.
2006-12-17 22:28:44 · answer #8 · answered by Nate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes based on the modern definition of the word "planet" and so we just have eight planets in the solar system
2006-12-17 22:27:10 · answer #9 · answered by probug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was months ago!
The IAU kicked it out because it "doesn't clear the neighbourhood around it's orbit."
2006-12-17 22:30:21 · answer #10 · answered by matthewoborne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋