5th Moon for Pluto – Should it be re-instated as a planet?

by on , under Astronomy


So Hubble now finds a fifth planet orbiting around Pluto.
More details here.
This will no doubt re-start the arguments going that Pluto ought to be re-classified back as a major planet.

I believe, and have done for years, that Pluto really should never have kept its classification as a planet.

If you discover something, and classify it one way, as your knowledge increases, your keep re-classifying things until it makes sense (until a further discovery throws that into doubt). That really is the essence of science.

I don’t believe the current IAU classifications of Minor Planets, Asteroids, or whatever they are called is correct yet.
For example, how would you distinguish between a minor planet and a dead comet?

I’m sure this controversy will carry on for a long time.

What do you think?

Dave


Leave a Reply

Looking for something?

Use the form below to search the site:

Still not finding what you're looking for? Drop a comment on a post or contact us so we can take care of it!