It s tough being the little guy and no one knows this better than pluto who isn t even considered a planet anymore still there s a lot to learn about an object that orbits so far from the sun

It’s Tough Being the Little Guy: Exploring the Unraveling Mystery of Pluto’s Demotion

Pluto, once revered as the ninth planet in our solar system, faced a significant blow in 2006 when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the term “planet” and demoted it to the status of a “dwarf planet.” This decision sparked ongoing debates among scientists, and it left Pluto and its loyal supporters feeling like the underdog in our cosmic neighborhood. However, despite its diminished planetary status, Pluto continues to captivate the scientific community and general public alike.

Pluto orbits at a staggering average distance of about 3.67 billion miles away from the Sun, taking about 248.4 Earth years to complete one revolution. As the farthest-known celestial object in our solar system, its elusive and mysterious nature draws us closer to understanding the wonders of our vast cosmos.

But what led to Pluto’s dethronement? The IAU’s definition states that an object can only be considered a planet if it “clears the neighborhood” of its orbit. Essentially, this means that a planet should dominate its surroundings, ensuring that there are no other large objects in its orbital path. Unfortunately, Pluto shares its orbit with a vast collection of smaller icy bodies known as the Kuiper Belt. Consequently, the IAU classified Pluto as a dwarf planet as it does not meet this criterion.

Despite this setback, Pluto has provided invaluable insights into our understanding of the outer solar system. Scientists have discovered that it possesses a diverse geological landscape, with features such as mountain ranges, nitrogen ice glaciers, and even a possible subsurface ocean. These discoveries, made possible by the New Horizons mission in 2015, have revolutionized our knowledge of this enigmatic world.

Pluto’s demotion has led to renewed interest in these dwarf planets, prompting the discovery of numerous similar objects in the Kuiper Belt. Eris, for instance, is another dwarf planet located in this distant region of the solar system. Its discovery in 2005 sparked the reevaluation of Pluto’s planetary status, as Eris is about 27% more massive than Pluto. The identification of Eris and other dwarf planets has enriched our understanding of the outer reaches of our cosmic neighborhood, offering new avenues for exploration and scientific inquiry.

Moreover, Pluto’s peculiar orbit intrigues scientists. Its orbit does not lie in the same plane as the eight recognized planets but is instead inclined at a significant angle. This orbital inclination raises questions about the origin and evolution of Pluto and the Kuiper Belt objects, providing insights into the formation of our solar system over 4.5 billion years ago.

As we continue to unravel the mysteries surrounding Pluto, NASA and other space agencies around the world are planning future missions to explore this dwarf planet and the Kuiper Belt further. New Horizons, the spacecraft responsible for our initial encounter with Pluto, is expected to encounter another Kuiper Belt object named “2014 MU69” in January 2019. This close encounter will provide even more astonishing data to further our knowledge of these distant celestial bodies.

In a universe as vast and intricate as ours, every celestial object, regardless of its classification, has a story to tell. Pluto, the modest dwarf planet, continues to captivate our imaginations and inspire us to explore the wonders of our cosmic backyard. So, while it may no longer hold the prestigious title of “planet,” Pluto’s journey reminds us that even the smallest of worlds can leave an indelible mark on our quest for cosmic understanding.

Source: NASA’s New Horizons Mission FAQ