Pluto: Planet or Plaything?
Not that it’s news anymore, but I personally believe that the IAU’s decision to demote Pluto is a triumph of science over common sense. Cast your vote for the petition and read some of the comments that folks have contributed. Far from being an unimportant issue, this impacts the study of science and how kids relate to it. Perhaps also tells kids something about the impermanence of life and being strong enough to admit mistakes and make amends? Who knows.
I, for one, will always believe in my heart that it’s a planet and would have rather recommended adding more planets to the solar system than taking them away. There’s plenty of love for all.
What about all the clever mnemonic devices that have been coined to help kids remember the order of the planets? So now, “My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” must become something like, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served us Nine Nachos”. I guess it’s alright, but let’s hope that it’s not going to change again very soon.
