Whether is it kept as planet? Under what condition it is said it is not a planet?
2007-03-21 20:27:27 · 8 answers · asked by marcao 065 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Pluto has been known as the ninth planet of our solar system since it was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in 1930. On the other hand, it has been clear for decades that Pluto does not fit in with the pattern of the other planets. Over the last few years, the accumulated information on Pluto and the discovery of an increasing number of other objects in the outer solar system with orbital characteristics very similar to those of Pluto have been discussed within the community of astronomers called "minor-planet researchers". The question of the official status of Pluto has recently come to the forefront because the orbits of some of these other objects are now sufficiently well determined that it is reasonable to begin including them in the catalog of orbits of what are now generically known as "Trans-Neptunian Objects" (TNOs).
IAU Division III has already recommended that Pluto be included as number 1 in a catalog of TNOs.
Does this mean that Pluto has been demoted? The answer is no. Pluto will have dual classification as a planet and a TNO, at least for the time being.
Currently, the definition of a planet (as opposed to an asteriod or a TNO) is rather arbitrary. If astronomers reach a consensus on what the defintion of a planet should be, then IAU may reclassify some Solar System objects. However, in the absense of such a consensus, the definition is historical and arbitrary; moreover, many people outside the professional astronomy community have an interest in this issue, as the media attention attests. "Until there is a consensus that one of the physical definitions is clearly the most useful approach in thinking about the solar system, the IAU will not 'demote' Pluto or 'promote' Ceres," says the IAU.
Brian Marsden, head of the IAU's Minor Planet Center, has also addes his voice, as quoted in a press release.
"There is no plan to 'downgrade' or 'demote' Pluto. It will stay as a planet."
2007-03-22 07:05:45 · answer #1 · answered by nithi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto and its largest satellite, Charon, could be considered a binary system because they are closer in size than any of the other known celestial pair combinations in the solar system, and because the barycenter of their orbits does not lie within either body. However, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has yet to formalize a definition for binary dwarf planets, so Charon is currently regarded as a moon of Pluto. Two smaller moons, Nix and Hydra, were discovered in 2005. Pluto is smaller than several of the natural satellites or moons in our solar system (see the list of solar system objects by radius).
From its discovery by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, Pluto was considered the Solar System's ninth planet. In the late 20th and early 21st century, many similar objects were discovered in the outer solar system, most notably the trans-Neptunian object Eris which is slightly larger than Pluto. On August 24, 2006 the IAU defined the term "planet" for the first time. This definition excluded Pluto, which was then reclassified under the new category of dwarf planet along with Eris and Ceres. Pluto is also classified as the prototype of a family of trans-Neptunian objects. After the reclassification, Pluto was added to the list of minor planets and given the number 134340.
2007-03-22 00:36:23 · answer #2 · answered by ђermiona 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I know, Pluto is not considered a planet but is just a dwarf planet. Although it has an orbit, sometimes it orbits ion the Neptune's orbit.
It is considered as a DWARF PLANET!
2007-03-21 22:22:17 · answer #3 · answered by LeNmA 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At present pluto is not considered to be a planet because it doesnot satisfy the definition for a planet that it should be independent of it's orbit. But pluto's orbit collides with that of uranus's orbit!!
2007-03-21 21:09:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
no pluto is not considered as planet due to its small size. It does not have that much mass that a planet must have ..
2007-03-21 22:48:24 · answer #5 · answered by PearL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe celestial bodies must have a certain amount of mass to be considered a planet. Pluto, though, is not believed to meet this mass requirement...
2007-03-21 20:30:41 · answer #6 · answered by sam b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pluto is officially no longer a planet
2007-03-21 20:35:11 · answer #7 · answered by Sevron 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
these days it is totally confused!!!
c'mon all these years u call it planet and make it part of family in solar system and suddenly dump it !!
i believe it will make a comeback with a bang and prove that it is indeed a planet!!
2007-03-21 20:40:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋