Hey, are you still there? Good.
The solar system’s resident backburner, Pluto, is remembered today.
Pluto Day, celebrated on February 18th, marks the anniversary of the discovery of Pluto in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh.
Once considered the ninth planet of our solar system, Pluto was reclassified as a “dwarf planet” in 2006.
Despite this controversial demotion, Pluto continues to capture the imagination of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike.
The Discovery of Pluto
The search for Pluto began in the 1840s when astronomers noticed unexplained irregularities in Uranus’ orbit.
Percival Lowell, an astronomer who believed another planet was influencing Uranus, initiated a search for “Planet X.” Unfortunately, he did not live to see its discovery.
In 1930, Clyde Tombaugh, working at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, identified Pluto as the celestial body Lowell had been searching for.
Pluto was named by an 11-year-old English girl, Venetia Burney, who suggested the name after the Roman god of the underworld.
The name was fitting, as Pluto resides in the cold and dark outer regions of our solar system.
Why Was Pluto Demoted?
For over 75 years, Pluto enjoyed its status as the ninth planet of the solar system.
However, in 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the criteria for what constitutes a planet. According to these new guidelines, a celestial body must:
- Orbit the Sun
- Be spherical in shape due to its own gravity
- Clear its orbit of other debris
Pluto failed the third criterion, as its orbit overlaps with other objects in the Kuiper Belt.
As a result, Pluto was reclassified as a “dwarf planet,” much to the dismay of many Pluto fans.
Is Pluto Still There?
Despite its change in status, Pluto remains an essential part of our solar system.
It is located in the Kuiper Belt, about 3.67 billion miles from the Sun. Pluto has five known moons, including Charon, which is so large compared to Pluto that they are often considered a double dwarf planet system.
The New Horizons spacecraft provided stunning images of Pluto in 2015, revealing icy mountains, frozen plains, and a dynamic atmosphere.
Why Pluto Still Matters
Pluto Day is a reminder of human curiosity, scientific progress, and our ongoing quest to explore the universe.
So, on February 18th, take a moment to appreciate this distant world and all it represents!
Whether you believe Pluto should still be a planet or not, there’s no denying that it holds a special place in our cosmic history.
