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Believe That Pluto Can Be a Planet Again.

Believe That Pluto Can Be a Planet Again.

Do you believe in miracles? The redemption of Pluto and the long march back to planetdom will be no easy feat, but tentative first steps are being taken. Back in 2006, the International Astronomical Union broke hearts the Solar System over when it decided Pluto, long the galaxy’s beloved kid sister, was too small to be considered a true planet.

But the solar winds are changing in some corners of academia, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics recently held a debate on Pluto’s planetary status. On one side, Owen Gingerich, chair of the IAU planet definition committee, who argued that Pluto is a planet (yay!). On the other, Gareth Williams, associate director of the Minor Planet Center, who argued that Pluto is not a planet (booo). After the debate, a vote was held and justice carried the day. The people have spoken: Pluto is a planet. It’s not a binding vote and may not tip the out-of-touch old one-percenters at the International Astronomical Union, but it’s a start …

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