Pluto re-classified as a dwarf planet

PTStaff: Members of the International Astronomical Union have finally voted on Pluto’s status as a planet. Four competing proposals, one of which would have introduced four new planets called “plutons” to the solar system, and another in which a new sub-class of planets called dwarf planets, caused controversy in the astronomical and geophysical communities, as scientists argued over the new definitions. About 5% of the world’s astronomers voted at IAU, to decide the new definition of a planet.Under the new guidelines, a celestial body must have “cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit” to be called a planet. Pluto has an elliptical orbit that overlaps with Neptune, so is disqualified full planet status. Previous Physics Today news picks on Pluto Pluto will stay as a planet says IAU Plutons, its not a particle, its the name of a new class of planets Debate continues over Pluto definition List of stories regarding today’s votePluto loses ‘battle of the planets’ The Guardian Solar System Shrinks with Pluto’s Demotion NPR Pluto booted out of league of planets The Register Pluto Demoted: No Longer a Planet in Highly Controversial Definition Space.com Vote Makes It Official: Pluto Isn’t What It Used to Be The New York Times How the Facts Align - As Pluto Is Demoted, Some Look for Scientific Clarity The Washington Post