Why Is PLUTO Not A Planet? | Dwarf Planet | Space Video | Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

Peekaboo Kidz
2 Apr 202105:11
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script discusses the reclassification of Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet, a change that caused widespread confusion. It explains that until 2005, Pluto was considered the ninth planet in our solar system. However, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) established new criteria for planetary status, requiring a celestial body to orbit the sun, be spherical, and clear its orbit of other objects. Pluto met the first two criteria but not the third, leading to its reclassification. The script also mentions other similar celestial bodies like Haumea, Makemake, and Eris, and shares interesting trivia about Pluto, including its ice volcanoes and subsurface ocean.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 The script discusses the reclassification of Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet.
  • 📚 Prior to 2006, Pluto was considered the ninth planet of the solar system, along with Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
  • 🚀 In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) declared Pluto 'not a planet', causing a shift in scientific and educational perspectives.
  • 🌅 The IAU established three criteria for a celestial body to be considered a planet: it must orbit the Sun, be spherical in shape, and have cleared its orbit of other objects.
  • 🔍 Pluto met the first two criteria but failed the third, as it has not cleared its orbit of surrounding objects, leading to its reclassification as a dwarf planet.
  • 🪐 Other celestial bodies like Haumea and Makemake in the Kuiper Belt, as well as Eris, share similar characteristics with Pluto but are also not considered planets.
  • 💡 The IAU's decision to redefine planetary criteria was influenced by the discovery of new space objects that acted like Pluto but did not fit the traditional definition of a planet.
  • 🌟 Pluto's unique features include ice volcanoes and a possible subsurface ocean, differentiating it from other celestial bodies in the solar system.
  • 🌌 The script is educational, aiming to clarify the reasons behind Pluto's change in status and to inform about the broader solar system's composition.
  • 📖 The information is based on a video transcript, which includes a mix of music, narration, and a conversational style to engage the audience.
  • 🤓 The script is presented by Dr. Binox, who uses a storytelling approach to make complex astronomical concepts accessible and entertaining.
Q & A

  • What was the historical status of Pluto in our solar system?

    -Pluto was historically considered the ninth planet in our solar system, discovered in 1930 by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh.

  • Why was there a change in Pluto's classification in 2006?

    -In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the criteria for a celestial body to be considered a planet. Pluto did not meet the third criterion of clearing its orbit of other objects, leading to its reclassification as a dwarf planet.

  • What are the three essential criteria set by the IAU for a celestial body to be considered a planet?

    -The three criteria are: the object should revolve around the Sun, it should be spherical in shape, and it should have cleared its orbit of other objects, meaning it should have enough gravity to be the dominant body in its orbital path.

  • How did the discovery of other similar bodies in the Kuiper Belt contribute to Pluto's reclassification?

    -The discovery of other bodies like Haumea and Makemake in the Kuiper Belt, which share similar characteristics with Pluto, prompted the IAU to create a more precise definition for planets, leading to Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet.

  • Who was responsible for naming Pluto?

    -Pluto was named by Venetia Burney, an 11-year-old girl from Oxford, England, who suggested the name to her grandfather, who then forwarded it to the Lowell Observatory.

  • What is unique about Pluto's moons in relation to other moons in the solar system?

    -Pluto's largest moon, Charon, is unique because it is about half the size of Pluto, making it the largest satellite relative to the planet it orbits in our solar system. Pluto and Charon are often referred to as a double planet due to their size relationship and gravitational interaction.

  • What are some distinctive features of Pluto's surface?

    -Pluto's surface is characterized by mountains, valleys, plains, and craters. It has the tallest mountains made of water ice and features large craters. Some plains are made of frozen nitrogen gas and show no craters, indicating possible geological activity.

  • How does Pluto's atmosphere behave?

    -Pluto has a thin, tenuous atmosphere that expands when it comes closer to the Sun and collapses as it moves farther away. This behavior is similar to that of a comet.

  • What is the significance of the discovery of extrasolar planets like Proxima Centauri b in relation to our understanding of Pluto?

    -The discovery of extrasolar planets, such as Proxima Centauri b, which is within the habitable zone of its star, highlights the diversity of planetary bodies and expands our understanding of what constitutes a planet, further emphasizing the reasons behind Pluto's reclassification.

  • What are some unique geological features of Pluto that were mentioned in the script?

    -The script mentions that Pluto has ice volcanoes and possibly an ocean hidden under its icy surface, which are unique features not commonly found on other planets in our solar system.

  • How has the reclassification of Pluto impacted educational materials?

    -The reclassification of Pluto has led to changes in educational materials, such as textbooks, to reflect the updated understanding of celestial bodies and the solar system, helping students learn about the dynamic nature of astronomical classification.

Outlines
00:00
🌌 The Reclassification of Pluto

This paragraph discusses the historical status of Pluto as the smallest planet in our solar system and its subsequent reclassification as a dwarf planet. It explains that until 2005, Pluto was considered one of the nine planets, but due to the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) new definition of a planet, Pluto was demoted. The criteria for a celestial body to be classified as a planet include orbiting the sun, being spherical in shape, and clearing its orbit of other objects. Pluto met the first two criteria but failed the third, as it shares its orbit with other objects in the Kuiper Belt. The paragraph also mentions other celestial bodies like Haumea, Makemake, and Eris, which share similar characteristics with Pluto but do not meet all the planetary criteria set by the IAU.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Solar System
The Solar System refers to the gravitational bound system comprising the Sun and the objects that are in orbit around it, either directly or indirectly. It includes planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. In the video, the Solar System is the context for discussing the classification of celestial bodies, particularly Pluto's status within it.
💡Pluto
Pluto is a dwarf planet that was once considered the ninth planet in our Solar System. It is known for its elongated orbit and its composition that includes rock and ice. The video focuses on the historical status of Pluto as a planet and the reasons for its reclassification.
💡International Astronomical Union (IAU)
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the global association of professional astronomers. It is responsible for defining and maintaining standards for celestial navigation, and for establishing the official criteria for the classification of celestial bodies. In the context of the video, the IAU made the decision to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet.
💡Planetary Criteria
Planetary Criteria are the three essential conditions laid out by the IAU that a celestial body must meet to be classified as a planet. These include orbiting the Sun, being spherical in shape, and having cleared its orbit of other debris. The video explains how Pluto failed to meet the third criterion, leading to its reclassification.
💡Dwarf Planet
A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun, is spherical in shape, but has not cleared its orbit of other debris, which differentiates it from a full-fledged planet. The video highlights that Pluto, along with other similar bodies like Eris, Haumea, and Makemake, is now categorized as a dwarf planet.
💡Kuiper Belt
The Kuiper Belt is a region of space beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies, including some that are large enough to be considered dwarf planets. It is named after Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper. The video mentions the Kuiper Belt as the location where other celestial bodies similar to Pluto were found.
💡Eris
Eris is a dwarf planet in the Solar System that is slightly larger than Pluto. It was discovered in 2005 and played a significant role in the reclassification of Pluto because its discovery raised questions about the definition of a planet.
💡Clyde Tombaugh
Clyde Tombaugh was an American astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930. His discovery was initially classified as a planet, but later reclassified as a dwarf planet. Tombaugh's work is significant in the history of astronomy and the understanding of our Solar System.
💡Vanessa Bernie
Vanessa Bernie was an 11-year-old girl who suggested the name 'Pluto' for the newly discovered celestial body in 1930. The naming of Pluto is an interesting historical note and adds a human element to the story of its discovery.
💡Ice Volcanoes
Ice volcanoes, also known as cryovolcanoes, are volcanic structures that erupt icy substances like water, ammonia, or methane, instead of molten rock found in traditional volcanoes. Pluto is known to have ice volcanoes, which is one of its unique features that differentiate it from other celestial bodies in the Solar System.
💡Subsurface Ocean
A subsurface ocean refers to a layer of liquid water that exists beneath the surface of a celestial body. It is believed that Pluto has a subsurface ocean hidden under its icy surface, which is an intriguing aspect of its geological makeup and adds to the complexity of its study.
Highlights

The ultimate million-dollar question is about the smallest planet in our solar system.

Pluto was once considered the smallest planet but is now an incorrect answer.

Pluto's declassification as a planet generated mass confusion about its identity.

Until 2005, science books listed Pluto as one of the nine planets.

Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer, discovered Pluto in 1930.

In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined Pluto's status.

For a celestial body to be a planet, it must fulfill three essential criteria set by the IAU.

Pluto meets the first two criteria: revolving around the Sun and being spherical in shape.

Pluto does not meet the third criterion of clearing its neighborhood of other objects.

Pluto's inability to clear its orbit led to its reclassification as a dwarf planet.

Other celestial bodies like Haumea and Makemake were also reclassified as dwarf planets.

Eris, discovered in 2005, is larger than Pluto and also classified as a dwarf planet.

The IAU's criteria helped classify planets and differentiate them from dwarf planets.

Vanessa Bernie, an 11-year-old at the time, suggested the name Pluto in 1930.

Pluto is the only planet in the solar system with ice volcanoes.

There is an ocean hidden under Pluto's icy surface.

The episode aims to provide insights into Pluto's planetary fate and answer the question of why it's no longer considered a planet.

Transcripts

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PlutoDemotionIAUCriteriaDwarfPlanetsSolarSystemSpaceExplorationAstronomyHistoryClydeTomboughKuiperBeltErisComparisonVanessaBernie