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Why Pluto Still Matters
StartsWithABang writes Nearly a century ago, Pluto was discovered, and for 48 years it remained the only known object whose orbit takes it beyond the gravitational pull of Neptune. In a single generation, we've now discovered more than 1,000 additional objects in the Kuiper Belt, but does that make Pluto any less special? Here's a strong argument for why Pluto might matter now more than ever.
Here's a strong argument for why Pluto might matter now more than ever.
Maybe, just maybe, this is something that could've been added to the summary.
Pluto is what it is. We have a probe about to visit so that's great. I detest the IAU definition of a planet not because Pluto isn't included but because it is an ill thought out inconsistent mess that was voted in on the last day of the IAU conference when most of the voting members had gone one after discarding a front runner definition that made a lot more sense and was more subjective. Yes it made Pluto a planet but so what!?
The definition they did accept in the end has a LOT wrong with it:
It explictly mentions the sun so extrasolar planets aren't planets.
It defines dwarf planet such that a dwarf planet is not a planet (very confusing especially for a definition intended for lay people).
It defines a planet that has not cleared it's path as not being a planet. Well what about the Trojan Asteroids and Jupiter? Is Jupiter not a planet?
They're just some of the highlights. The definition is a complete mess.
Pluto still matters because it is the most well studied known Kuiper belt object and we are finally about to get a good look at it.
You shouldn't anthropomorphize planets. They hate when you do that.
Ezekiel 23:20
Ceres thoughts on Pluto.