NASA: ‘Can’t rule out’ life on Pluto says astronomer
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Pluto was relegated to the status of dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). In a controversial decision the IAU claimed Pluto failed to meet the three key requirements to be classified as a planet.
In a paper published in the scientific journal Icarus researchers argued that the IAU should change their position on Pluto.
They said: “The IAU should rescind their non-scientific definition and stop teaching the revisionist history.”
For an astronomical body to be considered a planet it needs to be spherical, orbit a star and not share gravitational space with other objects in its orbit.
The IAU’ 2006 reclassification was based upon the presence of objects known as ‘plutinos’ within its orbit.
However, the researchers from universities, observatories and research institutes are critical of that decision.
In a five year study of astronomical and planetary literature on the subject they argue that the IAU decision was “rushed”.
They also go on to claim that the classification was unscientific and based on a “folk concept of planet that contradicted the scientific view”.
Pluto’s planetary status has provoked considerable debate in the astronomical community since 2006.
Some high-profile figures have continued to refer to Pluto as a planet, despite the IAU decision.
One example is former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine who announced in 2019 he considered Pluto a planet.
He said: “It’s the way I learned it and I’m committed to it.”
NASA scientist Alan Stern, who led the New Horizon’s mission to Pluto, has also said he considers it a planet.
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He has also written a paper calling for its reclassification.
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