Pluto … the “dwarf planet”

Posted By on August 24, 2006

Pluto no longer a planetPluto was stripped of its status as a planet today by scientists from around the world who have redefined it as a “dwarf planet.” (see MSNBC link) This leaves our solar system with just eight classical planets … better rewrite that Trivial Pursuit card.

Pluto was discovered in 1930 and has traditionally been considered the ninth planet, and furthest from the sun, in the solar system. Recent debate over its moon has made many question it definition as an actual planet or something other than what we define as a planet. The need to define what it takes to be a planet stems from technological advances that enable astronomers to look further into space and to measure more precisely the size of celestial bodies in our solar system.

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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
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