Is Pluto A Planet?

[April_Rose]

First scientists were saying that it was, then they said that it wasn't,.. after that they were saying that they were right the first time,.. so what are we on now? Is it considered a planet or not? And why or why not?

 

[JackRT]

First scientists were saying that it was, then they said that it wasn't,.. after that they were saying that they were right the first time,.. so what are we on now? Is it considered a planet or not? And why or why not?

It is a matter of definition. It is nothing to worry over because the distinction is quite unimportant.

 

[Occams Barber]

First scientists were saying that it was, then they said that it wasn't,.. after that they were saying that they were right the first time,.. so what are we on now? Is it considered a planet or not? And why or why not?

Fortunately Rose, CF has a resident expert on the subject of Planet (or not) Pluto.

Calling @AV1611VET . Can you please come over and assist this poster with her Pluto Problem.

(OB runs away laughing maniacally)

OB

 

[jacks]

I consider it a planet because my definition of planet is "big thing in the sky that isn't a star or asteroid." I'm sure you will get less scientific definitions later.

 

[Tra Phull]

Pluto was a dog in the cartoons.

 

[April_Rose]

I consider it a planet because my definition of planet is "big thing in the sky that isn't a star or asteroid." I'm sure you will get less scientific definitions later.

Then what would you call the moon?

 

[April_Rose]

Pluto was a dog in the cartoons.

Lol not that Pluto! XD

 

[d taylor]

It is a star.

 

[.Mikha'el.]

Not since 2006. It was changed then because its orbit intersects Neptune's. I think most people who taught growing up that it is still consider it to be so.

 

[April_Rose]

It is a star.

What is? Pluto?

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

Whether it is called a planet or not depends - simply said - on the size only.
Scientists added a certain rule about the size when they discovered more and more "planets" in our solar system.
Pluto itself is only about the size 1/3 of our moon (which is pretty small), so they decided it's better to not add hundreds of new planets but instead call them "dwarf planets".

 

[April_Rose]

Not since 2006. It was changed then because its orbit intersects Neptune's. I think most people who taught growing up that it is still consider it to be so.

Wait, what does that have to do with anything?

 

[thecolorsblend]

Pluto was a dog in the cartoons.

Which then raises the question of what Goofy is, right?

 

[April_Rose]

Whether it is called a planet or not depends - simply said - on the size only.
Scientists added a certain rule about the size when they discovered more and more "planets" in our solar system.
Pluto itself is only about the size 1/3 of our moon (which is pretty small), so they decided it's better to not add hundreds of new planets but instead call them "dwarf planets".

And since then I think that they discovered more dwarf planets right?

Which then raises the question of what Goofy is, right?

He was also a dog,.. which makes things sort of weird. -__-

 

[Tra Phull]

Goofy is also a dog in the cartoons. Together, he and Pluto have explored entire solar systems.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

And since then I think that they discovered more dwarf planets right?

Correct There are 5 dwarf planets in our solar system right now, and a few hundred more are waiting to be classified as such.

 

[sjastro]

Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet as it hasn't cleared the neighborhood.

 

[JackRT]

Then what would you call the moon?

The moon is one partner in a double planet system. The moon does not orbit the earth but we both orbit a common centre of gravity.

 

[April_Rose]

Goofy is also a dog in the cartoons. Together, he and Pluto have explored entire solar systems.

Really? How do you know that?

The moon is one partner in a double planet system. The moon does not orbit the earth but we both orbit a common centre of gravity.

That doesn't make sense though. I mean not about the moon in particular, (and I think I remember reading somewhere that it is actually an asteroid but I could be wrong about that) but think about this. There are many different solar systems out there and many different planets that don't orbit the earth,.. so why would it make a difference in our solar system if Pluto or planet X or whatever didn't orbit the earth?

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

The moon is one partner in a double planet system. The moon does not orbit the earth but we both orbit a common centre of gravity.

Sorry, what? The moon is not a planet... and while the earth orbits the sun the moon orbits the earth. They certainly don't have the same center of gravity...