Outer space is a realm of new discoveries and possibilities. There is one particular planet in our solar system that is brimming with these possibilities. However, for nine years it has not actually been considered a planet. The “dwarf planet”, Pluto, has been overlooked and misrepresented in astronomy and planetary science. Since being demoted from planet status to dwarf planet status, little Pluto has raised some big questions about what defines a planet and what does not. In this paper, I will attempt to persuade you that Pluto should be promoted back to its original planet status. First, I will give you a brief history of Pluto, from its discovery to what prompted its reclassification. Next, I will explain the definition of a planet as given by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the definition’s flaws. Finally, I will discuss the recent discoveries of the New Horizons mission and how these new discoveries should lead to the reclassification of Pluto to its original planet status.
History of Pluto
Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde W. Tombaugh and was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. This means that for almost eighty years, all of mankind knew that Pluto was a planet. The real trouble for Pluto came in 1992 when David Jewitt and Jane Luu discovered the first celestial objects in a region now called the Kuiper Belt (Weintraub, 2015). Pluto is considered one of the largest celestial objects in the belt (Redd, 2012). However, there are some objects in
The articles “Why Pluto had to go” Pluto should not be a planet, and “War of the Worlds” argued that Pluto argued that the object in space, Pluto should be a planet. “Why Pluto had to go” argued this statement by saying that Pluto’s size is too small, doesn’t follow the orbit such as other planets with the sun, and compare to the other planets such as Jupiter’s moons and cloud bands, it just doesn’t make the cut. “War of the Worlds” explains the reasons that Pluto should be a planet by giving facts that Pluto was the second largest known objects in the solar system compare to Kuiper belt, definition of what define a planet, that the “planet” Pluto have been in our mental map of the solar system which still makes it a planet in our eyes.
Many issues have arisen from the debate whether or not Pluto is a planet. Some astronomers say that Pluto should be classified as a “minor planet” due to its size, physical characteristics, and other factors. On the other hand, some astronomers defend Pluto’s planet status, citing several key features.
Pluto isn’t a planet for many reasons the main one being, it only follows two of the three criteria of being a planet. According to the article “Pluto: Planet or not?”, for Pluto to be a planet it needs to meet three pieces of criteria. In the article “Pluto: Planet or not?” it states that “Pluto meets two of these three criteria.” Therefore, Pluto should not be considered a planet because, it doesn't meet the criteria it needs to. Many scientist would agree that Pluto is considered a dwarf planet. “Pluto is a dwarf planet” Christensen wrote. It’s just plain and simple, Pluto is a dwarf planet, no doubt about it. There shouldn’t be any confusion about whether Pluto should be considered or not for many reasons. If it doesn’t meet all three
Astronomers now label Pluto as a “dwarf planet” because it does not meet all of the criteria to be a planet. It is also not alone in its orbit; it is part of a wide group of small-scale objects that have been detected revolving around the Sun beyond Neptune.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson wrote The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet to examine why Pluto ought not to be considered a planetary body and instead a dwarf planet or Kuiper Belt Object.
Pluto being a planet is a controversial topic all over the world, should Pluto be a planet? Or should we exclude Pluto from being a part of our solar system. Here are three agreements that could be made to support the fact that Pluto should never become a part of our solar system. There are three characteristics that an object in space must have to be classified a planet and there are three characteristics as well to be classified as a dwarf planet, a dwarf planet must be able to orbit the sun, just like all objects in our solar system; a dwarf planet has to be small enough for the mass to not be able to clear its neighborhood; also, the entail shape needs to be round. Now the criteria for a planet is roughly the same as a dwarf planet with the exception of one characteristic.
In the outer limits of our solar system there is a planet unlike any other, Pluto. Pluto was discovered in February of 1930 by an American astronomer, Clyde Tombaugh. It is the only planet to have been discovered by an American. All though we have known of the existence of Pluto for over thirty years now, there are still many mysteries surrounding this celestial body. Being the farthest planet has made it difficult to study Pluto, Adding to the obscurity of this strange planet is that the capability to send spacecraft such distances has never been achieved. Through the wonders of science and astronomy, there are many things that can be determined, concluded, and hypothesized about this obscure planet.
In August 2006 pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet and it is still considered to not be a planet. Do you think it should be considered a planet? Pluto should not be considered a planet in my opinion.
The discussion about Pluto’s status in our solar system is still in question. The definition of a planet is changing as society advances and as time passes. We used to believe that Pluto was a planet which orbits the sun, but in a weird way since it’s orbit is quite odd compared to other planets in our solar system. Pluto is different such that, it has five moons and crosses Neptune’s orbit. Not only does it do that, it is quite small in contrast to the other celestial body in our solar system. As society advances, we question the definition of a planet and Pluto’s status in our solar system. Our crave for knowledge and curiosity about what’s around us motivates us to explore the unknown. Our desire to learn more is due to the fact that people
Pluto is beautiful. Whatever its status: planet or not, New Horizons’ recent flight by the littlest “planet” confirmed that the dwarf has a lot of “heart”; and over the next 16 months, images will pour in from New Horizons to an expectant audience. Even the few pictures received thus far have caused “hoorays!” from scientists who have gathered more intel about Pluto than ever before.
Did you know Pluto’s not a planet? Pluto is a dwarf planet. The astronomers are going to find out how Pluto became a dwarf planet.
Why Pluto Should be a Planet I think that pluto should be considered a planet. Was pluto not a planet once before? Why are literal balls of gas considered planets? Who gets to decide what “too small” actually means?
Pluto is very popular in the world and there is a lot of conversation on whether or not it should be considered a planet. Its size and unusual orbit are two factors that make it part of the dwarf family.
Should there be eight or nine planets in the solar system? Some. people agree that Pluto should become a planet, but researchers and scientists know better. An example of this is that Pluto only two of the three rules to be classified as a planet. Scientists including International Astronomical Union’s president and astronomer Mike Brown have gladly accepted this idea and even have evidence to support it. Third, people already have a hard time learning all the planets in our solar system, we would have to make all the celestial bodies in the Kuiper belt planets. It is right that Pluto is not considered a planet, and it never should be one either.
Internal Summary/Preview: After discussing the discovery of “Planet X” through the beliefs of Percival Lowell and the actual finding done by Clyde Tombaugh, we will shift to discussing how “Planet X” got the name Pluto.