You grew up learning that Pluto is the last planet in the Solar System. But when the International Astronomical Union declared that it was to be taken out of the list, everyone was surprised, but not one person or agency complained about it. Although the naming of the planets, as well as their consideration, rests at the hands of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), Jim Bridenstime, the current NASA Administrator seems to take a vote in favor of Pluto.
During a tour around the Aerospace Engineering Sciences Building at the University of Colorado Boulder, Bridenstine was asked for his opinion on the matter and he expressed his support for Pluto as a planet.
"Just so you know, in my opinion, Pluto is a planet," the NASA chief said. "You can write about the NASA chief saying that Pluto is still a planet. I will stand by it because that is what I grew up with, and I'm committed to it."
The lighthearted comment of the NASA chief may not put Pluto back in its original classification, but it does open doors for the talk about it again. The debate on whether Pluto should be a planet or not will become relevant again and it will push the people from the IAU to reconsider.
It was in August of 2006 when Pluto was removed as the ninth planet in the Solar System. Back then, the properties that define it has put this small planet under the classification of a dwarf planet. The main difference between a planet and a dwarf planet rests largely on the space around it.
Planets, like that of the Earth, come with a more defined space around their orbit, while dwarf planets do not.
In truth, there are many other celestial objects similar to the size of Pluto that also come with unclear orbital space. Some scientists would argue that those celestial bodies must be declared as planets too, if Pluto were to be classified as one, again.
However, Pluto has other features that are worthy of consideration like a multi-layered atmosphere, weather, moons, organic compounds and the like. These make the issue of it as a planet even more trickier.
Should Pluto be declared as a planet? The debate about it will go on and so is the extensive research of its many other features that might change the name of the game.
