Pluto Pluto ControversyControversy

By Prathyusha PamidiBy Prathyusha Pamidi

History

In 1930 Clyde Tombaugh was searching for a ninth planet as part of a project at Lowell Observatory. On February 18, 1930, Tombaugh discovered a possible moving object on photographic plates taken on January 23 and January 29 of that year. A lesser-quality photograph taken on January 20 helped confirm the movement. After the observatory obtained further confirmatory photographs, news of the discovery was telegraphed to the Harvard College Observatory on March 13, 1930. Pluto would later be found on photographs dating back to March 19, 1915.

IAU-Who Are They?

International Astronomical Union The IAU unites different astronomical societies from around the world.

They’re made up of astronomers and scientists from different nations.

They also have the internationally recognized authority for assigning designations for celestial bodies (stars, planets, asteroids, etc.)

Classifications for Classifications for PlanetsPlanets

1.1. It orbits the sun.It orbits the sun.

2.2. It's round. More It's round. More technically, it "has technically, it "has sufficient mass for its self-sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) equilibrium (nearly round) shape."shape."

3.3. It "has cleared the It "has cleared the neighborhood around its neighborhood around its orbit." Basically, it orbit." Basically, it dominates its part of dominates its part of space.space.

Pluto Doesn’t Dominate!Pluto Doesn’t Dominate!

Pluto doesn’t have a Pluto doesn’t have a clear area around it’s clear area around it’s orbit. It is considered orbit. It is considered a dwarf planet and a dwarf planet and been recognized as been recognized as the largest member the largest member of a distinct region of a distinct region called the Kuipler called the Kuipler Belt.Belt.

“Dwarf Planet”

A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium

(nearly round) shape, (c) has not cleared the neighborhood around its

orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

Facts About PlutoFacts About Pluto Average Distance from Average Distance from

the Sun:5,906,380,000 the Sun:5,906,380,000 km (3,670,050,000 km (3,670,050,000 miles)miles)

Equatorial Equatorial Circumference:7,232 Circumference:7,232 km (4,494 miles)km (4,494 miles)

Has 3 Moons: Charon, Has 3 Moons: Charon, Hydra, and NixHydra, and Nix

Length of year: 248.5 Length of year: 248.5 years years

Rotation period: 6.4 Rotation period: 6.4 daysdays

How Well Were You Paying How Well Were You Paying Attention?Attention?

What are the 3 What are the 3 classifications for a classifications for a planet?planet?

Which one does Pluto Which one does Pluto miss?miss?

What is a Dwarf What is a Dwarf Planet?Planet?

Who discovered Pluto?Who discovered Pluto? What year?What year?

BibliographyBibliography

•"Dwarf Planet." Nine Planets. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://www.nine planets.org>.

•"New Label." jpl.nasa.gov. NASA. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/>.

•"New Pluto ." NASA. NASA. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://www.nasa.gov>.

•"Pluto History." hubble site. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://hubblesite.org>.