The eight planets: an explanation (including "Why does Neptune count?")
On August 24, 2006, astronomers declared that Pluto is no longer a planet, thereby downsizing the solar system from nine planets to eight. After a week of debate, the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of planetary status because its orbit cr
In conjunction with Newsweek, MSNBC reports on the new view of the solar system.
Although NASA hasn't updated this website to reflect Pluto's demotion, I didn't think any discussion of Pluto would be complete without including the New Horizons spacecraft (launched January 19, 2006) on its way to a 2015 date with Pluto.
"Discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, Pluto takes 248 years to orbit the Sun.
This archive of New York Times news articles, editorials, and letters to the editor chronicles Pluto's recent history.
"Pluto is now officially classified as a dwarf planet.
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