And as Dr. Alan Stern often says, we don't need the IAU to tell us that Pluto is a planet. It is one because it is spherical, meaning it is large enough to be squeezed into a round shape by its own gravity, and because it orbits a star (the Sun).

Pluto is still a planet. Only four percent of the IAU voted on the controversial demotion, and most are not planetary scientists. Their decision was opposed by hundreds of professional astronomers in a formal petition led by New Horizons Principal Investigator Dr. Alan Stern. Astronomers who oppose the IAU decision…

Tyson has since moderated his view on Pluto, acknowledging debate over its status remains ongoing. He also says he never publicly stated our solar system has only eight planets. Significantly, many giant exoplanets have orbits much more eccentric than Pluto's. By the IAU logic, none of these are planets! Then what are…

Pluto is not "expelled from the list of planets in our solar system" unless we consent to the ridiculous decree by four percent of the IAU, most of whom are not even planetary scientists! That decision was opposed by hundreds of professional astronomers in a formal petition led by New Horizons Principal Investigator…

Your first point makes sense; however, the IAU definition specifically states dwarf planets are not planets at all. That's the part that needs to be changed. And agreed, the "clearing its orbit" requirement is ridiculous.

But kids are still learning that the Pluto debate is ongoing. Objection to the demotion is not about "nostalgia" or emotion; it is about rejection of a definition that has little scientific basis and was imposed by a tiny group of astronomers in a political power play. Dwarf planets are planets too. Pluto is both a…

Planet Pluto is NOT dead, no matter how many circuses Brown takes his show to. His entire "I killed Pluto" obsession is about one thing—selling books. Pluto is still a planet no matter who puts a festival together and engineers a vote, because it is in hydrostatic equilibrium and orbits a star (the Sun). Brown has…