Short Wave

Pluto Isn't A Planet — But It Gives Us Clues For How The Solar System Formed

18 Jun 2024

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Pluto hasn't been a planet for almost 20 years. In the early 2000s, scientists discovered several objects of a similar size to Pluto. So, during the summer of 2006, members of the International Astronomical Union convened in Prague to reconsider what counts as a planet in our solar system. IAU members decided that there were three criteria to be a planet — and Pluto didn't meet all of them. But planetary scientist Wladymir Lyra says that even though it was downgraded to a dwarf planet, Pluto still has much to teach us about planet formation. This episode, he also lays out his case for Pluto — and many other objects in the solar system — to be considered a planet.This episode is part of Short Wave's space camp series about all the weird, wonderful things happening in the universe. Check out the full series.Questions about the state of our universe or smaller happenings here on planet Earth? Email us at [email protected] — we'd love to consider it for a future episode! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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Short Wave

Pluto Isn't A Planet — But It Gives Us Clues For How The Solar System Formed

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from Short Wave

Lessons and failures from the Challenger space shuttle explosion

What drives animals to your yard? It's complicated

Iran offline: How a government can turn off the internet

The plight of penguins in Antarctica

A failed galaxy could solve the dark matter mystery

10 breakthrough technologies to expect in 2026

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