2007-05-16 03:24:50 · 6 answers · asked by ? 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Pluto has was recently reclassified as a dwarf planet because it was found to be smaller than once expected. Strange, isn't it, that we didn't know exactly how big Pluto was until very recently. At the same time the largest asteroid, Ceres, was reclassified as a dwarf planet. And the newly discovered object Eris has been classified as a dwarf planet. Some people think that the other newly discovered object Sedna was also classified as a dwarf planet, but it wasn't.
So now we have 8 planets, 3 dwarf planets, and one less asteroid than before.
2007-05-16 04:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scientists created a new class of planet, called "dwarf planet" for Pluto and Pluto type bodies
So, now there are Planets (8 of them) Dwarf Planets (3 of them are currently known) and Minor Planets (hundreds of those).
2007-05-16 05:26:20 · answer #2 · answered by Owl Eye 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was down graded to a dwarf planet because the astrologers were trying to add another planet (smaller than pluto) to the solar system and they created some guidelines as to what a planet is. pluto lost its status because it is not large enough and its orbit intersects neptune.
2007-05-16 03:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto is still whatever it is. Scientists no longer categorize it as a planet though.
2007-05-16 03:29:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A new word to the dictionary has been added because of this.
Plutorized: Meaning one's status has been downgraded.
If you lose your title at work and lowered to a lesser classification,
you've been Plutorized.
2007-05-17 05:07:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
its not a planet anymore
2007-05-16 03:46:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋