In the past, many people recognized the solar system by its planetary order, namely Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter.
However, since 2006, the International Astronomy Union (IAU) no longer refers to Pluto as a planet.
The reason is that Pluto does not meet the criteria to be called a planet. Yes, an astronomical object must meet a number of criteria to be called a planet.
These criteria are orbiting a star that is large enough to have its own gravity, not too large to create thermonuclear fusion, and has “cleaned up” the environment around its orbit.
It has not yet “cleaned” its orbit
Reported by NASAFebruary 15, 2021, Pluto is no longer called a planet because it has not “cleared” its orbital environment of other objects.
However, Pluto meets the IAU criteria to be classified as dwarf planet or dwarf planet.
According to the IAU, a dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun directly so that its shape is controlled by gravitational forces, but has not “cleared” its orbital environment of other objects.
So what is meant by not “cleansing” its orbital environment of other objects?
Reported by Library of CongressSept. 19, 2019, the criterion means that the planet must be gravitationally dominant so that there are no other objects of comparable size, other than its own satellite or objects under its gravity, in the vicinity of its orbital space.
In this case, Pluto shares an orbital environment with Kuiper belt objects such as Plutino.
Hence, any celestial body that does not meet these criteria will not be called a planet and will be classified as a dwarf planet, including Pluto.
History of Pluto
Pluto was discovered on February 18, 1930 at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona by astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh with contributions from William H. Pickering.
In 1915 the observatory managed to capture two faint images of Pluto, which had not yet been recognized.
In fact, this isn’t the first portrayal of Pluto. There are 16 known pre-discoveries and the oldest was made by Yerkes Observatory in 1909.
At the time, the discovery of Pluto made headlines around the world. The Lowell Observatory also has the right to name the newly discovered celestial body.
Lowell Observatory has received more than 1,000 name suggestions from around the world, including Venetia Burney, an 11-year-old student in Oxford, England who suggested the name “Pluto.”
According to Venetia, who was interested in astronomy and classical mythology, the name God of the Underworld was suitable for a dark and cold celestial body.
Venetia suggested the name “Pluto” to her grandfather, Falconer Madan, a former librarian at the Bodleain Library, University of Oxford.
Madan passed the suggestion on to Professor Herbert Hall Turner who then forwarded it to his colleagues in the US.
Finally, the Pluto name was officially used on 24 March 1930 and announced on 1 May 1930. Venetia as a proponent also received £5 as a prize.
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