Friday, August 25, 2006
Julie Feldt lost her favorite planet Thursday when the International Astronomical Union removed Pluto’s planetary status.
Feldt, St. Louis junior and astronomy and physics major, said she’s disappointed with the decision.
“Hopefully it doesn’t hurt research on Pluto,” Feldt said.
The IAU decided early Thursday morning to remove Pluto from the list of nine planets that’s existed since Pluto’s discovery in 1930. Pluto was regarded a planet for more than 75 years. It will now be considered a “dwarf planet.”
The decision prompted mixed reactions. Members of the facebook.com group, “I love it that Pluto isn’t a planet anymore,” celebrated. Others, including Feldt, were dissapointed.
The news is especially upsetting for the University of Kansas. Clyde Tombaugh, the man who discovered Pluto, graduated from KU in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy.
Barbara Anthony-Twarog, professor of physics and astronomy, said she was disappointed and surprised to hear Pluto was no longer a planet.
“I think it diminishes some of the pride that Kansans get at the recognition of Tombaugh as the discoverer of Pluto, but scientifically this doesn’t mean anything,” she said.
Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930 while working at Lowell observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Anthony-Twarog said that a week ago it seemed likely the IAU would allow Pluto to retain its planetary status.
The former definition of a planet considered any object orbiting the sun that’s large enough to make itself spherical to be a planet.
However, what now distinguishes Pluto as a “dwarf planet” is its oblong orbit that overlaps with Neptune’s. For Pluto to be considered a planet, it would need to be able to clear all debris from it’s orbital neighborhood — which it cannot.
Kelley Liebst, Lawrence sophomore and physics and astronomy major, said she’s not surprised about the decision.
“A lot of people at KU are making a big deal because he [Tombaugh] went to KU, but in science, things are always changing,” Liebst said. “I don’t see the big deal.”
Anthony-Twarog said the University’s astronomy and physics department won’t be affected by the decision. “He still discovered Pluto and it’s still an impressive achievement,” Anthony-Twarog said. “What people call it doesn’t change that.”
If nothing else, Pluto has achieved more than its 15 minutes of fame.
“What’s great about the Pluto debate is it brings public interest into astronomy,” said Brent Hartley, Olathe junior and physics and astronomy major.
Pluto will now be considered a “dwarf planet,” a new category of minor planets. The asteroid Ceres and 2003 UB313, also known as “Xena”, will join Pluto as new “dwarf planets.”
Kansan staff writer Anna Faltermeier can be contacted at afaltermeier@kansan.com. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
— Edited by Elyse Weidner
The KU alumnus who found Pluto
Michael Byers discussed his new novel about Pluto's discovery at the Kansas ...
Former astronaut shares telescope knowledge
Professor Steve Hawley will deliver a lecture called “Wild Astronomy” tonight.
Get Involved: Astronomy Associates of Lawrence
One of many events and organizations at KU and in Lawrence.
KU researchers lead effort to develop new ...
Leap-year babies jump at the chance to ...
The day of Feb. 29 only comes every four years, giving those ...
KU in danger of losing research credibility
The University’s low rankings raise possibility of losing membership in the Association ...
Perseid meteor shower occurs Thursday night
The Perseid meteor shower, which occurs once a year, will be seen ...
University scientists discuss apocalypse
Bruce Lieberman, curator of invertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum, and ...
The end of the world as we ...
Doomsday scenarios and their probability or idiocy
Kennedy: Using science to reach the stars
New and exciting research projects can take us to the limit of ...
Self OK with Selby's workouts
Freshman guard Josh Selby worked out in Las Vegas to gauge draft ...
Down the aisle before the hill
Buser: Tough times, but reason for Jayhawks ...
There's plenty to be happy about when you're at Kansas.
Chalmers faces tough competition in draft
Mario Chalmers will be entering the NBA Draft without an agent, meaning ...
Carmichael: No need to alter your life ...
As the zodiac signs change, don't freak out. Seriously.
Professor of physics dies at 76
Raymond Ammar served as chair of the physics department and provided ‘world-class’ ...
Astronaut becomes professor
Alumnus Steve Hawley will start classes in the field he graduated in, ...
Tatted up
An inside look at the world of ink.
Chen: Green my guy
Is the status of driving an SUV more important than worrying about ...
Folmsbee: America needs new space race
Throwing support behind NASA means bolstering research and learning across America.
KU Judo Club appoints new coach
The selection will give the members stability, something they haven’t had in ...
Collins and Talib ponder NFL futures
Aqib Talib and Anthony Collins have a lot on their to-do-lists this ...
Alaskan wildlife needs preservation
NASA scientist reveals sea level problem
Robert Bindchadler, NASA scientist, spoke Wednesday at the University of Kansas. He ...
Top players making move to pro ranks
Repeating the type of success Kansas enjoyed this season was always going ...
First speakers in intellgent design series say ...
Professor uses science to benefit humanity
Michael Murray shares his experiences and discusses how physics can help us ...
Greening it
"The 11th Hour" review
Inch-long fleas dig into the history books
Professor of Entomology publishes research over inch-long fleas.
Rothman: Self is history in the making
Kansas’ win against Iowa State marked coach Bill Self’s 400th career victory.
On Campus: August 27, 2007
Here's what happening on campus for August 27, 2007.
New scholarship presentation today
The scholarship will be offered to low-income, first generation students.
Huge discovery could mean tiny technology
Spintronics, or spin-based electronics, allows KU researchers to discover a new way ...
Band's can-do outlook makes it a winner
Will Nots won the Farmer's Ball battle of the bands Saturday.
Chocolate, wine — and the color red?
New study shows that women may find men wearing red more attractive.
On Campus: August 20, 2007
Here's what happening on campus for August 20, 2007.
Event offers free AIDS tests at Union
Groups are providing non-blood tests Tuesday for Valentine’s Day.
Faculty boycott hearings on evolution teachings
AFTERdark brings good music and good times ...
AFTERdark is bringing musical acts to campus. The free event is Wednesday ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID