Demotion of Pluto: Dwarf Planet

From the time Clyde W. Tombaugh first discovered Pluto in 1930, it was viewed as an oddball planet leading up to its reclassification in 2006. For decades, Pluto was once used as a benchmark for the outer reach and size of our solar system. In recent years, new discoveries of celestial bodies within the vicinity of Pluto’s orbit have challenged its planetary status. The debate over Pluto’s classification was discussed throughout several media and news articles, leading to serious controversy amongst astronomers and the decision as to whether or not Pluto should be categorized as one of the planets in our solar system.

The articles used in this essay that will cover the debate over the classification of Pluto’s planetary status were retrieved from The Globe and Mail, New York Times, CBS News and BBC News. Established authors, scientists and journalists wrote the chosen articles from around the world in locations such as Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. The articles primarily focus on the astronomer’s viewpoint from a scientific perspective, although they include some insight from the general public as well. The time frame in which the debate was covered amongst these articles begin during the late 1990’s when Pluto’s planetary speculation began, up until its reclassification in 2006 and shortly thereafter. The articles were chosen because they assess Pluto’s demotion from a scientific standpoint utilizing factual information, but also include personal opinions of the opposing views between astronomers and journalists.

The earliest referenced article that discusses the controversy over Pluto’s planetary status came from The Globe and Mail and was titled “What In The World” on January 27, 2001. At this time, many astro...

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... and scientific perspective leading up to Pluto’s demotion to ‘dwarf planet’ in 2006. Unfortunately for some, Pluto does not fulfill the three qualifications in order to be classified a planet. The decision made by Dr. Brown and members of the IAU sparked a controversial debate amongst astronomers and laypeople alike, suggesting their



decision may not have been an appropriate one. Despite the struggle to keep Pluto’s planetary status after “capping years of intense debate, astronomers have resolved to demote Pluto in a wholesale redefinition of planethood that is being billed as a victory of scientific reasoning over historic and cultural influences”14.

Works Cited

Kenneth Chang. The New York Times. “Astronomers Find Another Planet in Solar System”. July 29, 2005. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/science/29cnd- planet.html?pagewanted=1&_r=4&