The Demotion of Pluto

The Demotion Of Pluto

Research Paper

Caleb Bishop (0808263)

Still today when asked to name the planets “Pluto” almost immediately comes to mind, but as most of us know I would be very wrong in listing it as a planet. After a 76 year run since its discovery in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, Pluto as of August 24th 2006 was officially demoted from a planet to what is known as a dwarf planet. Wile for many this was a huge shock, for astronomers this was just the end of intense debates since the 1990s. Astronomers explain that the now 8 planets all orbit the sun on what is know as the main plain of the solar system, Pluto orbits at a much higher orbit. As well since Pluto’s discovery there has also been many new discoveries that by the same definition that named Pluto, would also be considered planets. Many were outraged and disagreed with the decision and even some astronomers were bold enough to state that the decision would never stand. As we know eight years later the decision did in fact stand and wile many were upset a strictly scientific rather then emotional resolve had to be made, demoting Pluto from the planetary list.

“The Demotion of Pluto” is a modern day example of the scientific progression of planetary categorization that has occurred in the last decade. In this research paper I will discuss several areas that were impacted as an outcome of the 2006 classification. Namely, the initial conflict as viewed by its scientific audience, the development of such conflict from August 24, 2006 until present time and the wider societal effects experienced by the general population. My primary research source was BBC News, Space.com utilizing research terms such as, “the Demotion of Pluto,” “the effects of Pluto’s demotion” and “the Pluto conflict.” Both sources resulted in a number of quality sources of information.

Pluto’s 76-year life came to an abrupt end on August 24th 2006 when then IAU (the international Astronomical Union) demoted Pluto and striped...