Here and There

So, it looks like Pluto will be “demoted” to something called a dwarf planet in the coming days. There’s been a sizeable buzz around the International Astronomical Union’s meeting in Prague about the union’s devising a definition for “planet.” Amazing that we didn’t have one until now.

I’d just like to say, pretty much, “who cares?” Don’t get me wrong, I cherish my own armchair astronomy as much as the next nerd. But does getting closer to the truer nature of the planet by way of coming up with a more apt definition for all planets really change the planet itself? Better that we know more about Pluto (as well the other “trans-Neptunian objects), right? Isn’t that what science is all about?

I guess I’m barking up the wrong tree, though. Status is what’s important, and Pluto is getting served.

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