A major reason behind the "uproar" about Pluto's "demotion" is the lack of separation between common and scientific classification of solar system objects. It only makes sense that as scientists and astronomers learn more about the objects in space their classifications will change and evolve accordingly. Unfortunately the scientific ontology blends with our common-use terms, thus creating emotional debate over a question of taxonomy.
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A major reason behind the "uproar" about Pluto's "demotion" is the lack of separation between common and scientific classification of solar system objects. It only makes sense that as scientists and astronomers learn more about the objects in space their classifications will change and evolve accordingly. Unfortunately the scientific ontology blends with our common-use terms, thus creating emotional debate over a question of taxonomy.
w eexplore/Why_We_23_prt.htm
Here's a great article by NASA's Chief Historian (who actually voted for the new planet definition: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/why