It’s Been 20 Years Since Astronomers Decided Pluto Isn’t a Planet
Named for the ancient Greek god who presides over the afterlife, Pluto is now mostly known as the planet that lost its planethood 20 years ago. In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union, an organization that names and classifies celestial bodies, voted to reclassify what was once known as the ninth planet in our solar system.
Ever since that fateful vote, Pluto has been a dwarf planet. And two decades on, it’s still a controversial decision. Earlier this year, billionaire Jared Isaacman, who now serves as NASA Administrator, voiced his support for Pluto being recognized as a planet once again. Star Trek’s William Shatner isn’t happy about it either.
Astrophysicist David Gerdes, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, told CNET via email that our understanding of solar system objects changes as we learn more about them. “For example, large asteroids...
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