Astronomy Question: Download Questions PDF
Is Pluto really a planet?
Answer:
Interesting question - many have asked in recent years whether Pluto is a real planet or not.
The motivation for this has been the increased understanding of our solar system and the huge number of large rocks that have been found at a greater distance from the Sun than Pluto, which orbits it; in fact some larger than Pluto has or of similar size have been found.
This has led to many calling for our understanding of a true planet to change or for Pluto to become a planetessimal or some other non-planetary body.
However due to convention over the years and its status it seems set for Pluto to stay, however it is worth noting that there are many similar sized objects probably also orbiting the sun at a much greater distance in the Kuiper belt.
The motivation for this has been the increased understanding of our solar system and the huge number of large rocks that have been found at a greater distance from the Sun than Pluto, which orbits it; in fact some larger than Pluto has or of similar size have been found.
This has led to many calling for our understanding of a true planet to change or for Pluto to become a planetessimal or some other non-planetary body.
However due to convention over the years and its status it seems set for Pluto to stay, however it is worth noting that there are many similar sized objects probably also orbiting the sun at a much greater distance in the Kuiper belt.
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