Pluto, as we've studied in our academics, is the last planet in our solar system, and also the smallest one from the lot. However, its planethood has been questioned over the past few years by the science community, and has also been demoted from being a planet to being a 'dwarf planet.'
However, NASA's new chief has something very different to say about Pluto.
Reuters
In a statement by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine at the FIRST robotics event in Colorado, said "Just so you know, in my view, Pluto is a planet, and you can write that the NASA administrator declared Pluto a planet once again." He further adds, "I'm sticking by that. It's the way I learned it, and I'm committed to it."
This statement contradicts the official decision taken by the International Astronomical Union in the year 2006 where Pluto was demoted from the planet status.
Discovered first by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, the planethood of this tiny cosmic body is being questioned since the late 1990s after it was discovered that Pluto was surrounded by icy bodies ahead of Neptune's orbit.
After scientists discovered Eris, a distant object which was, in fact, larger than the smallest planet in the solar system, the IAU demoted Pluto's planetary status.?
The IAU also stipulated certain prerequisites for a cosmic body to be termed as a planet. First, it should orbit the sun. Second, it should nearly be round in shape. And third, it should have a clear orbital neighbourhood.
Reuters
While Pluto is fine in the first two conditions, the third condition is the place where it falls short. IAU also mentioned that planets like Pluto should be termed as 'dwarf planets'. This decision was one of the most controversial decisions in the subject of astronomy and still is with the world split into two parts.?
Oddly, the current NASA Administrator doesn't have an astronomical background. Moreover, he also strongly believes that Climate Change isn't real and the US government shouldn't be putting its money in this basket. So, his opinion is as questionable as a layman's in this scenario.