Neil deGrasse Tyson Debates a Pluto Expert

Will Neil take back what he said about Pluto? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice explore planets, dwarf planets, and the Kuiper belt with planetary scientist and principal investigator for the New Horizons Mission, Alan Stern.

Learn about the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. How did the spacecraft get to Pluto so quickly? When is the optimal time to go to Pluto? Discover the Europa Clipper and Lucy Mission. We explore Jupiter’s Trojan Asteroids and the future of flyby missions.

What is the difference between a minor planet, dwarf planet, and planetoid? Find out about Theia, the protoplanet that crashed into early Earth. We discuss the origins of the term “dwarf planet” and planet classifications. What makes something in space become spherical? How did Pluto form? Are Pluto-type planets only formed at an extreme distance from the sun? Learn about the discovery of the Kuiper Belt and how Ceres formed in the asteroid belt.

What questions did New Horizons answer about the Kuiper Belt? We explore the dance between Pluto and its moon Charon, trans-Neptunian object Arrokoth, and why freezing gives off heat. Plus, why all the fuss about Pluto? All that, and a friendly nerd fight over planet classification and why terminology is important in planetary science.

Thanks to our Patrons laura, Mihajlo Jovanovic, Heather Smith, Juan Ignacio Galán, Artsaveslife, Frank Wagner, Adam Brown, Greg Albrecht, Mickey Fuson, and Jeremy Green for supporting us this week.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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00:00 - Introduction: Alan Stern
2:09 - New Horizons Mission to Pluto
6:43 - Alan’s Trip to Space
9:15 - New Flyby Missions: LUCY & Europa Clipper
14:45 - Minor Planets, Dwarf planets, and Planetoids
18:50 - How You Get Planets
23:00 - Could We Find a Pluto Closer to It’s Sun
25:38 - Discovery of the Kuiper Belt
27:15 - What We Learned from New Horizons
30:29 - Charon & Pluto’s Geological Activity
34:09 - Why All the Fuss with Pluto?

[NemXX]

I love it how scientists are not afraid to call each other wrong and not get offended by it.
It's about knowledge and not about feelings and it's admirable.

Also, have to commend Neil for his obvious teaching talent. I am sure most of us had teachers that just bomb drop terms they are familiar with but the students aren't, causing a rift in the learning process. Neil is very aware of this because of the audience. He is acting like a teacher for us and it shows his concern in teaching adequately.

Also, Chuck for being the student in the room unafraid to ask the dumb questions.

Great show. Thank you all.

[gunnertequila]

Around the 26 minute mark Neil DT is allowing others to speak uninterrupted for the longest I've ever seen on a podcast. I challenge anyone to find a longer example. He must REALLY respect this guy.

[hrgwea]

There's some confusion in the comments. The controversy is not whether Pluto is a dwarf planet or not. The controversy is whether the word "planet" should be a disjoint set or a super set.
As it's currently defined, "planet" and "dwarf planet" are disjoint sets, i.e. Pluto is a dwarf planet and not a planet. Similarly, the Earth is a planet and not a dwarf planet.
However, some are in favor of the idea that "planet" should be a super set, i.e. Pluto being both a planet and a dwarf planet. And, therefore, the Earth is also a planet, but not a dwarf planet.

[ziggygunz]

I'm so glad Star Talk is no longer a tv show. It was just so much better as a podcast and I'm glad to see it's back to that format.

[fraliexb]

11:00 I think Neal was referring to "Trojans" and "Greeks"

Asteroids in the leading (L4) orbit are named after Greek heroes (the "Greek node or camp" or "Achilles group"), and those at the trailing (L5) orbit are named after the heroes of Troy (the "Trojan node or camp").

[chrisblau]

I must admit that for awhile I didn't really understand the point of Chuck on this show. Last week I showed a clip to my 7 year old and he thinks Chuck is hilarious. I get it now.

[FatherOshai]

I was scared they wouldn't have Chuck on but I'm so happy he's here, Hey! Lord Nice ✨️🙏🏾... sending love from Africa [ RSA ] ❤🇿🇦

[SonuOfBostonia]

Neil: "you're not a planet"
Pluto: "And you're not Carl Sagan" 😡

[johnheath]

Is step planet allowed? She raised me under the theory she was my real planet.

[ednaash]

Oh my I loved Dr. Allen and Dr. Tyson debating! Please do a longer show with him.❤❤❤❤

[vibehighest]

Pleaes have Alan Stern on again in a year to follow up on everything he has talked about today!

[jakemoeller]

Alan Stern was the keynote speaker in 2015 at Festival of Science here in Flagstaff. He was jubilant because of the New Horizon mission. It is an event that I will cherish until death.

[Th_UnKnOwN_PrO]

You NEED Alan back. The chemistry between Neil and Alan is priceless. One of a kind!

[AstroQuest]

This was one of the best conversations I have watched! Not because of the 'whether Pluto is a planet or Dwarf planet', but just the overall information about history of the space programs that were discussed. Cheers

[lamajsmoovesartisticmultiv]

The battle we have all been waiting for

[gjatt]

That handshake shows how huge Tysons hands are. No wonder he was a great wrestler back in the day.

[FalconFXICCY]

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dr. Stern talk about the outer solar system, and his banter with Neil on what constitutes main and dwarf planets.

[MysticJhn]

Meanwhile Eris is out there going, "Hey, what about me? I circle the Sun as well, why does nobody care if I'm a dwarf planet or not?"

[Stuff_And_Things]

If a dwarf cow is a cow and a dwarf person is a person, a dwarf planet is a planet. ;)

[ghostwolfx]

I agree with Alan Stern on the planet definition debate. Jupiter, Earth and Pluto are all Planets in the same sense that Blue Whales, Humans, and Ants are all Animals. Neil wants the term Planet to be a much more specific defining word than, but I think it is (and has been) a broader word like the word Animal is, at least IMO. I think the term Planet being used for Jupiter and Pluto is appropriate, and further defining from there with terms like Giant or Dwarf is also appropriate if you want to know exactly what someone is talking about as Neil said, like calling an Ant an Insect and a Human an Ape.

I do wanna say I respect Neil for agreeing with Alan instead of just doubling down forever like so many other people would do. It shows Neil is more interested in the truth than "being right" all the time, and that's the mark of someone you can trust is following their head and not their emotions.