Pluto Demoted Day ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Pluto Demoted Day and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) downgraded Pluto from a full-fledged planet to a “dwarf planet.” This decision was based on the fact that Pluto did not meet the three criteria the IAU established for what defines a planet. These criteria are: (1) the object must be in orbit around the Sun, (2) the object must be massive enough to have gravity strong enough to pull it into a nearly spherical shape and (3) the object must have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit. Based on these criteria, the IAU decided that Pluto does not qualify as a planet.
The decision to downgrade Pluto sparked a lot of debate and controversy. Many people were upset because Pluto had been considered a planet for more than 75 years. In response to the outcry, the IAU established a new category of celestial body called “dwarf planet.” As of 2015, there are five recognized dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea and Makemake.
While the IAU’s decision may have caused some consternation, it also led to a greater understanding of our solar system. For instance, we now know that there are many more small, icy worlds like Pluto out there. In fact, the New Horizons spacecraft is currently en route to explore one of these worlds, called 2014 MU69, which is located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. So, while Pluto may no longer be considered a “planet,” it remains an important and fascinating part of our solar system.