Pluto Learns Eight Is Enough for Planets HOME EDITION

Members of the International Astronomical Union overwhelmingly voted to demote Pluto to a "dwarf planet." Though still retaining the term planet, it was clear that Pluto had been exiled. Though Pluto's taxonomy had always been a point of contention among scientists, it was [Michael E....

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Los Angeles times
Main Author John Johnson Jr. and Jia-Rui Chong
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, Calif Los Angeles Times Communications LLC 25.08.2006
Subjects
Planets
Pluto
Solar system
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Summary:Members of the International Astronomical Union overwhelmingly voted to demote Pluto to a "dwarf planet." Though still retaining the term planet, it was clear that Pluto had been exiled. Though Pluto's taxonomy had always been a point of contention among scientists, it was [Michael E. Brown]'s discovery last year of UB313, which he nicknamed Xena, that forced the IAU's hand. That's because Xena was at least as large as Pluto, and possibly larger. If Pluto was a planet, how could Xena be denied? A new solar system; CREDIT: Los Angeles Times; KICKED OUT OF THE CLUB: Members of the International Astronomical Union vote to demote Pluto to a "dwarf planet" at their meeting in Prague. There are now eight planets.; PHOTOGRAPHER: Michal Cizek AFP/Getty Images; DECISION TIME: Astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell with her vote card and a toy Pluto dog at the decisive meeting in Prague.; PHOTOGRAPHER: Petr David Josek Associated Press; Pluto, discovered in 1930, has been voted off the planet island. But you can call it a "dwarf planet."; PHOTOGRAPHER: NASA
ISSN:0458-3035