is pluto really a planet?

Answer 1

The International Astronomical Union decided that Pluto was no longer a planet. The reason is that while Pluto is round, orbits the sun, and has three moons, it has not cleared (via gravity) its own orbit of debris. Instead, they decided to classify it as a "dwarf planet".

See the details below.

RESOLUTION 5A
The IAU therefore resolves that "planets" and other bodies in our Solar System, except satellites, be defined into three distinct categories in the following way:

(1) A "planet" [footnote 1] is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

(2) A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape [footnote 2] , (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

(3) All other objects [footnote 3] except satellites orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar-System Bodies".


Footnote 1: The eight "planets" are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Footnote 2: An IAU process will be established to assign borderline objects into either dwarf planet and other categories.

Footnote 3: These currently include most of the Solar System asteroids, most Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), comets, and other small bodies.

RESOLUTION 6A
The IAU further resolves:

Pluto is a "dwarf planet" by the above definition and is recognized as the prototype of a new category of trans-Neptunian objects.

Answer 2

Astronomers have re-categorized Pluto as a "dwarf planet". But the truth of the matter is that Pluto (and its companion, Chiron) was never a planet from the start. Instead, a mere examination of Pluto's orbital path indicates that it crosses the orbital path of the large planet Neptune. What this means is that Pluto-Chiron were once "satellites" (moons) of Neptune, and that a massive passing object perturbed Pluto-Chiron out of their Neptunian orbits and catapulted them outwardly. This would also explain why Pluto's current orbit is not circular, but a highly elongated ellipse. Slowly, (and stubbornly) the astronomers with all their PhD’s will catch on and eventually realize the rest of the facts that I have relayed to you.

Answer 3

No, it is not and it never was. Pluto is too small, has a very elliptical orbit, and there are many objects in the solar system that are bigger than Pluto and are not planets. Pluto is unlike any planet, in the solar system or outside of it.

Answer 4

well before they had so much curiousity if pluto is a planet or not the size of it isnt enofgh for a planet so now they realized its too small and that planet cant be a ;planet anymore.

Answer 5

Not anymore, it's planetary status was revoked this past year after definitions of a planet were rewritten. Pluto did not meet the new standards. Apparently it does not meet the third condition of a planet, which is "It must have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit."

Answer 6

No, Pluto was never a planet and is no more. It is one of the most frozen meteoroids of the Universe

Answer 7

Not according to NASA.

But what is My Very Excelent Mother doing now? Just Sleeping Under Noodles?

Answer 8

according to scientists, no. they say that it is too small, and that its orbit pattern is different than the rest of the planets.
it still seems like a planet to me, tho.

Answer 9

Yes, it is a dwarf planet

Answer 10

no. some still argue that it is but there was a big vote last year and the honchos vote it realy doesn't qualify. it is an icey ball with some rocks that happened to get caught in the suns' gravity field. but its all good.