Pluto, thou art forsaken but not forgotten
posted August 24, 2006 - 9:31amThe unspeakable has been done...again.
Pluto is no longer considered a true planet. Also not the first time an object has been stripped of the title.
Since it's discovery in 1930 Pluto has led a charmed life with hints of controversy. Now, he's been stripped of his title and left to wander with his only friend Charon.
Science books will be rewritten. Students will learn the new solar system and new classifications.
Pluto is now considered a 'dwarf planet.' They sure do like that word dwarf. Red Dwarf, White Dwarf and now dwarf planet.
The other dwarf planets in the system include Charon, in the first binary dwarf planet system known to humanity, formerly called a moon of Pluto. Rounding out the list is Ceres, a large rock in the asteroid belt and 2003 UB313.
A shame really, it's now highly likely the 2003 UB313 will remain named as such, doesn't really roll off the tongue now does it?
Generations will still fondly remember Pluto as a planet. New generations will think of it as a dwarf.
I'll still think of it as the eccentric member of the solar system. There's nothing wrong with the eccentric. It helps you stand out in a lineup of the classical.
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Comments
I just like the fact that
The big thing is that it
The big thing is that it doesn't clear its orbit because it passes within Neptune's orbit and that alone disqualifies it for planethood. The same with objects like Ceres which resides in the asteroid belt.
It's not about tradition, science is about progress and while I bemoan the demotion of Pluto I accept it as part of science because it is the goal of science to change our definitions of things and this has been a long time coming. :)
How come dwarfs always get forsaken?
Poor Pluto. Why bother with the reclassification? What, really, is the standard for a planet? Size, orbit, color? I guess I don't know enough. But it does feel kind of sad that we're losing a planet. There's no room for tradition anymore.
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