In 2006, Pluto was officially stripped of its planetary status. Now that debate is being reignited with some astronomers calling for the reinstatement of Pluto as a planet, arguing that the icy world should never have been demoted in the first place. So what is the deal? Is Pluto a planet?
Even though they might be scattered around our planet, astronomers have a way to come together to work out issues that face their entire field of study. It’s called the International Astronomical Union, and they’re the ones who work out the new names for stars, and sometimes de-planet beloved Kuiper Belt Objects.
Date: August 27, 2009 Title: Need a Unique Birthday Gift? “Buy” a Birthday Star Podcaster: Patrick McQuillan and Ryan McQuillan Organization: Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) www.iris.edu Description: Every year around Christmas time we are bombarded with advertisements suggesting you “name-a-star” for a loved one. If you purchase a “Name-a-Star” kit, your loved one’s […]
Date: April 18, 2009 Title: Why Isn’t Pluto a Planet? Podcaster: The Astronomy Cast team of Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay Organization: Astronomy Cast Description: This is our second contribution to 365 Days of Astronomy. This time, we’re going to give you a short explainer on why Pluto is no longer a planet. If […]
Date: February 26, 2009 Title: Palomar Sky Surveys on Your Desktop Podcaster: Scott Kardel Organization: Palomar Observatory / Caltech www.palomar-observatory.org Description: The Palomar Observatory has had a long tradition of performing sky surveys. Here’s a look at some old and new sky surveys that have been performed with the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope at Palomar. The podcast […]
Date: February 18, 2009 Title: Pluto – The Planet that isn’t a Planet Anymore Podcaster: Susan Murph Organization: How To Grow Your Geek http://www.howtogrowyourgeek.net/ Description: Beginning with a convoluted discovery in 1930, then being named by an 11-year-old girl, Pluto got off to a rather non-traditional start as a planet. It continued to be largely uninvestigated until only […]
