Your Opinion on Pluto the Planet

[Robert TG]

Pluto has been re-classified as a minor Planet.

For me it is still a planet just classed as a minor one.

I think the definition used for defining a planet will need to be revised again, I'm sure. The part about clearing it's path is so iffy that Neptunes status as a planet could be changed. LOL

What is your opinion?

[Radar]

I think Pluto is well suited to being a minor planet. Because of other minor planets out there, such as Sedna, it makes sense to downgrade it.

The clearing of it's orbit is an ambigious way to classify them. Let's say one of Jupiters moons got obliterated by an asteroid, and Jupiter found itself on the same orbit as millions of asteroids (debris from this moon), would Jupiter be downgraded to?

I think size should be the determining factor.

[RSW]

I agree on this. If there are other objects out there the size of Pluto, then Pluto should be downgraded to what they are.

The other alternative is to upgrade the other minor planets, which would be very confusing for people because you could end up with heaps.

So yeah, downgrading was a good move.

As for clearing a path for it's orbit, thats a tough one because how would we even know if the path has been cleared? Can we really detect objects only say 200 metres in diameter as far out as Pluto? So how would we know?

[CanisMajorTom]

I liked Pluto. It was just cruising around the edge of the solar system, minding it's own business. And the next thing you know, it's not a planet anymore. I think sticking with the nine planets was a good idea.

R.I.P Pluto :crazy: