Why Pluto Isn't a Planet: The History of Planetary Definitions
Professor of Astrophysics
51:48·2026·introductory level·Public Colloquium
Explore the scientific and historical journey that led to Pluto's reclassification, delving into the evolving understanding of planetary bodies and the dynamics of the Kuiper Belt.
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union adopted a definition of a planet that demoted Pluto to just one of what is likely hundreds of dwarf planets in our Solar System. Exploring the remote Kuiper Belt, this lecture challenges us to think about what kinds of scientific questions are worth our attention, what it means to name something – and why Pluto is worth caring about anyway.
Source: Gresham College via YouTubeWatch on YouTube
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