(telephone ringing) – Hi, Doug. – Hi, Corbin. – I have a question for you. Why isn’t Pluto considered a major planet?
That’s a great question! A while ago, some people were upset when scientists decided that Pluto shouldn’t be called a major planet anymore. It was like taking away a member of the planet family.
To understand why Pluto isn’t a major planet, let’s look at the story of another space object called Ceres. You might be thinking, “Ceres? Is that a real planet?” Well, it was once considered one!
About 200 years ago, kids learned about planets like Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. In 1800, an astronomer found a new planet between Mars and Jupiter and named it Ceres. It was added to the list of planets.
The next year, another small planet called Pallas was discovered in the same area. So, the list of planets grew to include Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Pallas, Jupiter, Saturn, and more.
Then, more small planets like Vesta were found in the same region. Scientists realized there were lots of these small planets between Mars and Jupiter. Today, we call them asteroids. Asteroids are big rocks in space, similar to planets but much smaller and more numerous. Instead of naming each one, we call this area the asteroid belt because it looks like a belt around the sun.
Now, how does this relate to Pluto? After Pluto was discovered, it was known as the farthest planet in our solar system. But in the 1990s, astronomers with better telescopes found new space objects beyond Pluto, like a planet named Albion in 1992. Since then, thousands of small planets like Pluto have been discovered at the edge of our solar system.
Astronomers found another belt in our solar system called the Kuiper Belt, located beyond Pluto. It’s named after Gerard Kuiper, an astronomer who predicted it would exist.
This is why scientists think Pluto should be seen differently from the major planets. Like Ceres, Pluto is part of a belt of small space objects. While it’s okay to think of Pluto as a planet, it’s important to know that our understanding of planets has changed.
Thank you, Corbin, for your question. For the next episode, I have three questions from viewers that I’m thinking about answering. After this video, you can vote on one of these topics: “How is toothpaste made?”, “Why do scabs sometimes leave scars?”, or “What causes the Northern Lights?” I can’t wait to hear from all of you. Stay curious, and see you next week!
Gather materials like foam balls, paint, and string to create a model of the solar system. Include the major planets, the asteroid belt, and the Kuiper Belt. This will help you visualize where Pluto and Ceres are located in relation to other celestial bodies.
Choose a dwarf planet, such as Pluto or Ceres, and research its characteristics. Prepare a short presentation to share with the class, explaining why it is classified as a dwarf planet and not a major planet.
Imagine you are Pluto and write a creative story about how you feel about being reclassified from a major planet to a dwarf planet. Share your story with your classmates to explore different perspectives.
Create a board game that simulates a journey through the asteroid belt. Include challenges and questions about the history and characteristics of asteroids and dwarf planets. Play the game with your classmates to reinforce your understanding.
Divide into two groups and hold a debate on whether Pluto should be considered a major planet. Use facts from your research to support your arguments. This will help you practice critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informalities and ensuring clarity:
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(telephone ringing) – Hi, Doug. – Hi, Corbin. – I have a question for you. Why isn’t Pluto considered a major planet? – That’s a great question. In a previous episode, we discussed how some people were upset when scientists decided to reclassify Pluto and remove it from the list of major planets. It can feel like excluding a member from a family.
So, why do scientists believe Pluto should not be classified as one of the major planets in our solar system? To understand this, it’s helpful to know about a true story regarding a different celestial body: the planet Ceres.
You may be wondering, “Ceres? Is that a real planet?” I assure you, it is. The story begins about 200 years ago when children learning about the planets were taught the names of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. In the year 1800, an astronomer discovered a new planet located between Mars and Jupiter. This tiny planet was named Ceres, and it was added to the list of known planets.
The following year, another astronomer discovered another small planet in the same region, which was named Pallas. As a result, the list of planets grew to include Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Pallas, Jupiter, Saturn, and so on.
However, just a few years later, the same astronomer discovered yet another small planet, Vesta, in the same area. As more small planets were discovered, the list continued to grow, leading to the realization that there were many small celestial bodies located between Mars and Jupiter.
These small planets are now known as asteroids. Today, we understand that asteroids are essentially large rocks floating in space. They are similar to planets in some respects but are much smaller and more numerous. Instead of learning the names of each asteroid, we refer to the region between Mars and Jupiter as the asteroid belt, as it resembles a belt encircling the sun.
Now, how does this relate to Pluto? Many years after Pluto was discovered, it was identified as the farthest planet in our solar system. However, starting in the 1990s, astronomers with improved telescopes discovered new celestial bodies beyond Pluto, including a planet named Albion in 1992. Since then, thousands of small planets similar to Pluto have been found at the far end of our solar system.
Astronomers have identified another belt in our solar system, known as the Kuiper Belt, which is located beyond Pluto. This belt is named in honor of Gerard Kuiper, an astronomer who predicted its existence.
This is why scientists suggest that Pluto should be viewed differently from the major planets. Similar to Ceres, Pluto is part of a belt of small celestial bodies. While it is still acceptable to include Pluto in our understanding of planets, it is important to recognize that our classification of planets has evolved.
Thank you, Corbin, for your question. For the next episode, I have selected three questions submitted by viewers that I am considering answering. After this video, you will have the opportunity to vote on one of the following topics: “How is toothpaste made?”, “Why do scabs sometimes leave scars?”, or “What causes the Northern Lights?” I look forward to hearing from all of you. Stay curious, and see you next week.
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This version maintains the informative content while ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Pluto – A dwarf planet in our solar system that is located in the Kuiper Belt, beyond Neptune. – Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system before it was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
Planet – A large celestial body that orbits a star, like the Sun, and does not produce its own light. – Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is the only one known to support life.
Asteroids – Small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. – Scientists study asteroids to learn more about the early solar system.
Solar – Relating to the Sun or derived from the Sun’s energy. – Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
System – A group of interacting or interdependent elements forming a complex whole, such as the solar system. – The solar system consists of the Sun, planets, moons, and other celestial bodies.
Kuiper – Referring to the Kuiper Belt, a region of the solar system beyond Neptune filled with small icy bodies. – The Kuiper Belt is home to many dwarf planets, including Pluto.
Belt – A region in space where a large number of celestial objects are found, like the asteroid belt or the Kuiper Belt. – The asteroid belt contains many rocky objects that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Scientists – People who study or have expert knowledge about science, including astronomy and space exploration. – Scientists use telescopes to observe distant planets and stars.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse that exists beyond Earth’s atmosphere, where stars, planets, and other celestial bodies are found. – Astronauts travel to space to conduct experiments and explore the universe.
Objects – Things that can be seen or touched, in astronomy, these include stars, planets, asteroids, and comets. – Telescopes help us see distant objects in space, such as galaxies and nebulae.
