Why Pluto is Not a Planet
Since its discovery in 1930 by an American amateur astronomer named Clyde Tombaugh, Pluto has been classified as the ninth planet of the solar system. Only to be removed from the solar planetary group in 2006. Why?
Since its discovery in 1930 by an American amateur astronomer named Clyde Tombaugh, Pluto has been classified as the ninth planet of the solar system. Only to be removed from the solar planetary group in 2006. Why? The following are the major criteria at classifying a heavenly body whether it’s a planet or not:
- A planet must be in orbit around the sun.
- A planet must be massive to produce gravity strong enough to give it a round shape.
- A planet must dominate its orbit, that is, its path is in relative isolation.
- A planet should be by far larger than the rest of minor bodies in the solar system.
- A planet’s orbit must be relatively located in the same plane as the other planets.
Planetary data has it that each planet in the solar system satisfies the above criteria while Pluto meets only the first and the second. It does not satisfies the third and fourth, for numerous other bodies populates its orbital vicinity and some of the members of these host of minor objects now known as the Kuiper belt are as large as Pluto itself – plutinos the astronomers would put it. Comparing to the rest of the planets, Plutos’s orbit is relatively tilted away from the common orbital plane. Thus, neither the last is met.
The international community of astronomers convinced, Pluto was formally reclassified as one of the dwarf planets in 2006. The news quickly enkindled debate and controversy among various communities, even among astronomers. I think as far as science is concern there is nothing adverse to this remarkable scientific step. Had Clyde Tombaugh now alive, I believe he would have no opposition either.
Unfortunately, some visual teaching aids about the Solar System for graders here in the Philippines still maintains the nine planets I noticed, an intellectual act which I would certainly deify if I were in the shoes of those elementary school teachers.
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20 Responses to “Why Pluto is Not a Planet”
On May 27, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Hmmm… I wonder what the school science book now says. Thanks for the warning, I will check with my son and find out how many planets they are being told in school now.
On May 27, 2008 at 4:33 pm
very interesting and informative article, thank you so much for sharing.
On May 27, 2008 at 4:35 pm
great article, thanks for sharing.
On May 27, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Very interesting article. I had heard this and checked my son’s science book. It was older than 2006 so Pluto was still a planet, but he was taught in school that it isn’t consider one anymore.
On May 27, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Nice article.Thanks for the info,bro.This is really informative.
On May 27, 2008 at 6:40 pm
very informative,thanks for sharing buddy,
On May 27, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Great article. I grew up thinking there were 9 planets and didn’t understand why Pluto was all of a sudden not considered a planet. Now I know! Thanks for the info.
On May 29, 2008 at 10:56 am
Well i am still in School but seeing as i was told about planets years ago i know Pluto as a planet. Now howether i know it isn’t
On May 31, 2008 at 8:46 pm
That was sad, I liked thinking that there was a planet called Pluto! Oh well, now we know better and why, I guess I will have to adjust!lol
On June 5, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing.
On July 26, 2008 at 1:19 am
hehe nice article… it was really absorbing…
On July 27, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Very nicely written. I remember when they removed Pluto from it’s position but I didn’t know why. Thank you for explaining it for me.
On August 18, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Thank you everyone. In case you like to read my other science-related articles feel free to visit
http://www.scienceray.com/writers/Unofre%20Pili.34346
Thanks.
On January 2, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Unofre Pili, we have had acidentally the same topic but not same in the way of saying. Don’t for get to see my articles foremost about Pluto!
On January 2, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I mean Don’t forget to see my articles foremost about Pluto! OK?
On February 21, 2009 at 11:58 pm
..wUla aqung naintndhan..
.pkitgalog..
..hehe..
On March 2, 2009 at 7:07 am
good article,now i understand
why pluto is not a planet…
On March 2, 2009 at 7:11 am
thanks for the info♥♥♥
On March 8, 2009 at 7:27 pm
i am a scientist
On March 29, 2009 at 8:21 am
Well written and explained, I remember when they decided Pluto was not a planet but never fully understood why before. Thanks for supporting my work so regularly, I’ve been meaning to take a look at your older stuff for a while and I’m so glad I did!
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