BREAKING NEWS: Pluto's Outta There!

8.24.06


I have very little time to write, but I'd remiss as a professional planet-watcher if I didn't mention the latest news to hit us.

That's right, folks. After a week of hearty debate among astronomers in Prague, the original proposal I described last week has been scrapped… in favor of a new definition of 'planet' that drops Pluto right out of the ranks.

You'll hear more of my thoughts on this later, once I have a moment to gather them (and catch my breath). Until then, here are a few interesting links:

Astronomers Vote to Strip Pluto of Planetary Status (FOXNews.com)
2006 redefinition of 'planet' (Wikipedia)
A Revised Definition of the Solar System (Philip Sedgwick)
Pluto's Demotion is Well Deserved and Long Overdue (LiveScience blog)