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Pluto Planetary Status remains contested as scientists challenge 2006 International Astronomical Union reclassification decision.
The NASA Administrator declared his support during an April 28 U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations testimony before the U.S. Congress' Appropriations Committee regarding Pluto becoming a planet again. He stated without hesitation that "I am firmly in the camp of 'make Pluto a planet again'." Thus ended an almost 30 year-long debate over the astronomical classification of Pluto, which was designated as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) criteria on August 24, 2006, during a time of determination. Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930.
Pluto was removed from our solar system due to defining characteristics of a planet as per IAU criteria: Orbit Sun, Have spherical mass, and clear orbital path of other materials. Pluto met the first two criteria but could not meet the final criterion due to its location in the Kuiper Belt, with many other dwarf planets.
The decision to remove Pluto as a planet has generated much debate by both space and science enthusiasts who claim there is no scientific proof that this definition occurred and consistence in enforcement. The controversy resonated particularly strongly in the United States, where Tombaugh's discovery remains a source of national pride.
Isaacman was appointed NASA Administrator in December of 2017 following his work with NASA as a private astronaut and technology entrepreneur. He noted that NASA was working on a “position that we can share through the scientific community to revisit this discussion.”
Despite this amazing discovery Pluto's definition as a planet has not changed as the IAU (International Astronomical Union) is the only authority in classifying a celestial body. Whether Isaacman will be able to convince the IAU to change its definition of what constitutes a planet based on an incredible scientific discovery remains to be seen; however, given Isaacman's position as administrator of NASA, he has an incredible amount of momentum behind him.
Business Honor views that Pluto's planetary status reclassification represents a significant shift in astronomical classification methodology and scientific consensus.
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