Pluto: The Aftermath
It Has Been Ousted
-by Ann Marie
It Has Been Ousted
-by Ann Marie
Pluto, a planet since 1930, was demoted to a dwarf planet on August 24 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), thus shrinking our Solar System to only eight planets.
A week before, the IAU’s leader had suggested a different proposal on what to do with Pluto. This proposal included a new definition which would include Pluto, Charon, the asteroid Ceres, and the UB313 also known as Xena, according to CBC news.
However, the union members did not like the new proposal and started a debate.
During the IAU’s August meeting, Pluto’s dynamics were deliberated and the characteristics of a planet were changed.
According to the New York Times, the results of an object being considered a planet must abide to the new rules discussed in the meeting. These rules say the object must orbit the sun, be able to clear other things out of the way of its orbital neighborhood and be big enough for gravity to squash it into a round ball.
According to Professor Kapila Clara Castoldi, an astronomy teacher at Oakland University, the size of Pluto does not fit into the scheme of the two different types of planetary sizes, the Terrestrial or Earth-like and the Jovian or Jupiter-like planets. Pluto’s characteristics are mostly rock and ice. The planet also is the smallest planet in the Solar System.
Also because Pluto’s orbit intersects Neptune and is more elliptical this demonstrates Pluto’s differences from the other planets that do not intersect according to Castoldi.
Due to these recent discoveries, Pluto has been defined under the title of dwarf planet because of the characteristics of just having to be round, according to the New York Times.
However, Pluto is not the only planet defined as a dwarf planet, others include Ceres and Xena, according to New York Times.
“By 2005, 900 objects have been observed in the Kuiper Belt. All these objects have orbits that are very elongated, like Pluto, and are likely to have similar composition: rock and ice,” said Castoldi.
For Castoldi’s class, the textbooks ordered for this semester mention the discoveries found and show Pluto as an odd planet.
At the Cranbrook Institute of Science, its planetarium’s Head of Astronomy, Micheal Narlock, said “We will be adopting the IAU’s stance on the Pluto’s status.”
According to Narlock, he believes there will be ‘hand-wringing’ for some people who have learned of Pluto as a planet.
“Personally, I am in total agreement with their decision,” he said. “What we need to keep in mind is that we’re not hurting Pluto’s feelings by calling it something else.”
Cranbrook Institute of Science’s planetarium is going to help distinguish the differences between all the members of the solar system.
“In fact, for the past few years we’ve been highlighting the differences between Pluto and the other eight planets in anticipation for this decision,” said Narlock.
However, this decision is affecting some researchers.
Caltech researcher Mike Brown said, “Pluto is Dead,” according to Space.com.
However, for Oakland University students, the reaction of Pluto being ousted from the Solar System has been mixed.
“If they’re finding other objects with the same composition, then I agree with it,” said Emily Merrifield, 21, a senior majoring in Nursing.
However, not all students were pleased with the IAU’s decision.
“I’m sad…growing up you learn about Pluto,” said Bonnie Johnson, 24, Communications Major. “Now we have to change the acronym.”
As the universe is changing and more objects are being discovered.
“It’s important for children and adults to realize that things in science are not ‘written in stone’,” said Narlock.
A week before, the IAU’s leader had suggested a different proposal on what to do with Pluto. This proposal included a new definition which would include Pluto, Charon, the asteroid Ceres, and the UB313 also known as Xena, according to CBC news.
However, the union members did not like the new proposal and started a debate.
During the IAU’s August meeting, Pluto’s dynamics were deliberated and the characteristics of a planet were changed.
According to the New York Times, the results of an object being considered a planet must abide to the new rules discussed in the meeting. These rules say the object must orbit the sun, be able to clear other things out of the way of its orbital neighborhood and be big enough for gravity to squash it into a round ball.
According to Professor Kapila Clara Castoldi, an astronomy teacher at Oakland University, the size of Pluto does not fit into the scheme of the two different types of planetary sizes, the Terrestrial or Earth-like and the Jovian or Jupiter-like planets. Pluto’s characteristics are mostly rock and ice. The planet also is the smallest planet in the Solar System.
Also because Pluto’s orbit intersects Neptune and is more elliptical this demonstrates Pluto’s differences from the other planets that do not intersect according to Castoldi.
Due to these recent discoveries, Pluto has been defined under the title of dwarf planet because of the characteristics of just having to be round, according to the New York Times.
However, Pluto is not the only planet defined as a dwarf planet, others include Ceres and Xena, according to New York Times.
“By 2005, 900 objects have been observed in the Kuiper Belt. All these objects have orbits that are very elongated, like Pluto, and are likely to have similar composition: rock and ice,” said Castoldi.
For Castoldi’s class, the textbooks ordered for this semester mention the discoveries found and show Pluto as an odd planet.
At the Cranbrook Institute of Science, its planetarium’s Head of Astronomy, Micheal Narlock, said “We will be adopting the IAU’s stance on the Pluto’s status.”
According to Narlock, he believes there will be ‘hand-wringing’ for some people who have learned of Pluto as a planet.
“Personally, I am in total agreement with their decision,” he said. “What we need to keep in mind is that we’re not hurting Pluto’s feelings by calling it something else.”
Cranbrook Institute of Science’s planetarium is going to help distinguish the differences between all the members of the solar system.
“In fact, for the past few years we’ve been highlighting the differences between Pluto and the other eight planets in anticipation for this decision,” said Narlock.
However, this decision is affecting some researchers.
Caltech researcher Mike Brown said, “Pluto is Dead,” according to Space.com.
However, for Oakland University students, the reaction of Pluto being ousted from the Solar System has been mixed.
“If they’re finding other objects with the same composition, then I agree with it,” said Emily Merrifield, 21, a senior majoring in Nursing.
However, not all students were pleased with the IAU’s decision.
“I’m sad…growing up you learn about Pluto,” said Bonnie Johnson, 24, Communications Major. “Now we have to change the acronym.”
As the universe is changing and more objects are being discovered.
“It’s important for children and adults to realize that things in science are not ‘written in stone’,” said Narlock.
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