Why do we care so much that Pluto isn't a planet?
24-08-2026 18:00 via space.com

Why do we care so much that Pluto isn't a planet?

Twenty years after Pluto lost its planetary status, people are still arguing about it.This spring, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman publicly threw his support behind "make Pluto a planet again," reigniting the familiar debate. Social media threads are filled with people arguing over whether Pluto should be grandfathered into the planetary club, whether dwarf planets are simply another kind of planet, and whether the distinction matters at all.The disagreement dates to August 24, 2006, when memb
Read more »

Astronomy news



Pluto losing its planet status may be the best thing that ever happened to solar system diversity
Pluto losing its planet status may be the best thing that ever happened to solar system diversity
'Ghosts of Mars' at 25: Are we any closer to living on the Red Planet? We asked the experts
'Ghosts of Mars' at 25: Are we any closer to living on the Red Planet? We asked the experts
'Project Hail Mary' and 'The Martian' author Andy Weir is headed back to outer space, but not how you'd expect
'Project Hail Mary' and 'The Martian' author Andy Weir is headed back to outer space, but not how you'd expect
Goodbye, Falcon 9: SpaceX planning to retire workhorse launcher when Starship is up and running
Goodbye, Falcon 9: SpaceX planning to retire workhorse launcher when Starship is up and running
SpaceX will set rocket-reuse record on 100th Falcon 9 launch of the year early Aug. 25: Watch it live
SpaceX will set rocket-reuse record on 100th Falcon 9 launch of the year early Aug. 25: Watch it live
Is the Perseid meteor shower going to get even more spectacular? Jupiter could send more 'shooting stars' towards Earth in 2028
Is the Perseid meteor shower going to get even more spectacular? Jupiter could send more 'shooting stars' towards Earth in 2028
At 25% off, this beginner-friendly Celestron telescope will bring the lunar eclipse closer
At 25% off, this beginner-friendly Celestron telescope will bring the lunar eclipse closer
Satellite sees Greenland's most significant floating ice loss in over a decade | Space photo of the day for Aug. 24, 2026
Satellite sees Greenland's most significant floating ice loss in over a decade | Space photo of the day for Aug. 24, 2026
On this day in space! Aug. 24, 2006: Pluto loses its planet status
On this day in space! Aug. 24, 2006: Pluto loses its planet status
The earliest galaxy 'swallowed' by the cannibal Milky Way left a scar at its heart
The earliest galaxy 'swallowed' by the cannibal Milky Way left a scar at its heart
Nancy Grace Roman Telescope live updates: NASA readies Roman for launch
Nancy Grace Roman Telescope live updates: NASA readies Roman for launch
What to expect from each stage of the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28
What to expect from each stage of the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28
It's been 20 years since Pluto lost planet status. Will it ever get its title back?
It's been 20 years since Pluto lost planet status. Will it ever get its title back?
New 'Star Trek' documentary featuring William Shatner hits theaters this fall, celebrating 60 years of Trek
New 'Star Trek' documentary featuring William Shatner hits theaters this fall, celebrating 60 years of Trek
Desktop versie