Why+Isn't+Pluto+a+Planet+Anymore?

Spring 2011 Editor: Steffany Garcia Previous Editors: Stacey K, Jessica Williams

=**__Why is Pluto No Longer a Planet? __**=

The section provides links that show why Pluto no longer carries the title of "planet". Some explain why it should no longer be considered a planet and others what the new definition of what a planet is. The main reason why Pluto is no longer a planet is because it is not big enough to dominate it's neighborhood. [|Pluto is Not a Planet] This article discusses how Pluto is different from other planets, and gives reasons of why it isn't one. The author starts by saying that Pluto was considered a planet, until they discovered more about Pluto. Infact according to the article, Pluto doesn't really fit in anywhere. It continues to debate over whether Pluto is or isn't a planet. It is an easy to use site, with a navigation bar that takes you to other information.

[|Is Pluto a Planet?] This website states that the International Astronomical Union has declared Pluto in its own class, called a plutoid. It continues to debate about what the definition of a planet is, and how some astronomers follow one definition, while others follow another. It states that there is no true defiinition of a planet, for they all seem to have differnent characteristics.

[|The Definition of a Planet] This website talks about how the definition of a planet may change. Ever since Pluto came into the picture, people have been skeptical about what the definition of a planet really is and whether to include or not include Pluto in the category.

[|20 Reasons Why Pluto Should Be a Planet] This is a link to a pdf file that holds twenty reasons why Pluto should be a planet.

[|Dwarf Planet Pluto] This website provides information as a dwarf planet, as well as statistics and pictures of the planet, or nonplanet.

Edited by: Jessica Williams Date Read- 5/1/09 Audience- High school, college, and any adults

Title- Pluto and the Developing Landscape of Our Solar System Author- IAU http://www.iau.org/public_press/themes/pluto/ This site gives an account of Pluto when it was discovered as a planet, all the way until is set to not be a planet at all. The website gives the facts of the new decision in easy-to-follow "question and answer" form. Questions among them are: I think this is a very educational website because, first of all, it's straight of the IAU website. This is the union that decided upon the new definition of what is considered a planet. It also answers a lot of questions that many people would ask and be confused about or just contemplative, at least I definitely claim this.
 * Why is there a need for a new definition for the word planet?**
 * In plain language, what is the new definition of planet?**
 * Why is Pluto now called a dwarf planet?**
 * Why is Eris a dwarf planet?**

Edited by: Jessica Williams Date Read- 5/1/09 Audience- High school, college, and any adults

Title- Pluto's Honor Author- Neil Tyson http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/read/essays/nathist/plutoshonor This website talks about how thinking about Pluto as an actual planet it would be one of the most peculiar planets in our solar system. Neil Tyson's essay takes you through different peculiar qualities of the "planet" Pluto that make a person wonder if the Pluto rally should be in the category with the other eight planets that grace our solar system. The site compares Pluto with the other 8 planets. It also compare Pluto with objects in the Kuiper Belt. This is explained until the conclusion is made that Pluto is not a planet, but just an object in the Kuiper Belt. I think this site is very educational in explaining the reasons why Pluto is not considered a planet through step-by-step observations of the strange difference that is as compared to the other planets in our solar system.

Edited by: Jessica Williams Date Read- 5/1/09 Audience- High school, college, and any adults

Title- Why Pluto is No Longer a Planet Author- Fraser Cain http://www.universetoday.com/2008/04/10/why-pluto-is-no-longer-a-planet/ This website shows the reasons for why Pluto doesn't seem to be a big enough in it's "neighborhood" to be a planet. There is another that is as big as Pluto. They had discovered an object, further out than the orbit of Pluto that was probably the same size, or even larger.Eris is one that Pluto shares the "neighborhood" with. This website explains why Pluto is not considered a planet, but considered a dwarf planet instead. I think this website is proficient in explaining the basics of Pluto's decent from the status of "planet." It does not go into much detail, but it explains the main rule that Pluto lacks in which makes it a dwarf planet.

Edited by: Jessica Williams Date Read- 5/1/09 Audience- High school, college, and any adults

Title- Pluto Not A Planet, Astronomer's Rule Author- Mason Inman http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060824-pluto-planet.html This website talks of how the definition of a planet was changes, and it shows the definition of a planet and why Pluto is not considered one. But this website mostly focuses on how the title of being a "planet" should be guarded and considered more carefully. Having the honor to be called a planet should be more selective. They realize that astronomers will come in contact with many objects in the celestial sky, but a rash and common decision should not be made about the categorizing of the object. The title of "planet" should be more scrutinized. I think this is a good website because it explains the fact that we should be more selective in what we give the name of "planet." This explanation should help people in their dismay of Pluto not being called one anymore, and for them to understand with more of an open mind why we must guard the name.

Edited by: Jessica Williams Date Read- 5/1/09 Audience- High school, college, and any adults

Title- Pluto No Longer A Planet Author- Staff Writers http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Pluto_No_Longer_A_Planet_999.html This website states the new definition of a planet. This website also talks about the debates and hard decision it was to come to an agreement as to the definition of what a planet is. There is an interview with a woman, Catherine Pilachowski, whom attended the International Astronomical Union meeting in Prague to determine the definition of a planet. Also there are other descriptions and definitions of other celestial bodies as well. I like this site because it doen't just give facts about what a planet should be and the outcome of the definition. There's an actual brief account from someone who was there and witnessed the controversial change that made our solar system have 8 planets instead of 9.