Keep Pluto Alive!

This website was created to help protest the recent IAU (International  Astronomical Union) decision, to demote the planet PLUTO as a major planet of the Solar System.

In addition, to helping to explain and cherish the great story of discovery, given to us by Dr.Clyde Tombaugh; who on February 18th 1930 identified a new planet of our Solar System.

Here is the definition of a planet from a recent dictionary:
plan•et (plăn'it)  n.

1. A nonluminous celestial body larger than an asteroid or comet, illuminated by light from a star, such as the sun, around which it revolves. In the solar system there are nine known planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
   
   
2. One of the seven celestial bodies, Mercury, Venus, the moon, the sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, visible to the naked eye and thought by ancient astronomers to revolve in the heavens about a fixed Earth and among fixed stars.
   
   
3. One of the seven revolving astrological celestial bodies that in conjunction with the stars are believed to influence human affairs and personalities.

Here is what the IAU says constitutes a “planet”:
The IAU therefore resolves that planets and other bodies in our Solar System, except satellites, be defined into three distinct categories in the following way:

(1) A "planet"1 is a celestial body that: (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

(2) A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that: (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape2, (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

(3) All other objects3 except satellites orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar System Bodies".

Here is the way that the IAU sees the Pluto Issue:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_redefinition_of_planet

Over the years, I had the unique opportunity to interview this man and visit him at his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

This website, will take you on a journey of sight and sound, helping you to better understand the current debate over the term “planet” and what we can expect over the next few years.

Visitors will also be able to send a message to leading scientists on why we believe that Pluto should remain a planet and help return the designation of planet to an object that has found it’s way into the minds and hearts of countless millions, for well over 76 years.

Let’s all help, KEEP PLUTO ALIVE!

Sincerely;

Steve Kates
“Dr.Sky”
Radio/TV Personality