Why is Pluto not a planet? Planetary scientists say it is. Here’s why the IAU got it wrong.

There are WAY more planets in our solar system than you realize. To be honest, this is probably my favorite video to date because this story is a lot bigger and more exciting than I expected.

Today, I’m joined by expert planetary scientist Dr. Alan Stern to tackle a hotly debated topic: Why is Pluto not a planet, at least according to the IAU? And why do NASA and planetary scientists, including Dr. Stern, argue that Pluto should be a planet? We'll dive into the reasons behind the International Astronomical Union's controversial 2006 redefinition and explore why it might be fundamentally flawed.

Dr. Stern, who led NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto, offers an authoritative perspective, revealing that there are actually far more than the traditional 8 or 9 planets in our solar system. We're going to learn about the geophysical definition of a planet, which includes over a hundred celestial bodies, and why this broader view matters.

As you can tell, this episode is not just about Pluto; it's about recognizing the diverse array of planets that make our solar system fascinating. From Pluto, to our very own moon. Tune in to uncover the scientific and political drama behind Pluto's demotion and discover why redefining planets can spark curiosity and exploration in the next generation of scientists.

Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Why isn't Pluto a planet anymore?
01:45 - Meet Dr. Alan Stern
02:40 - Why did the IAU vote to change the definition of a planet?
04:24 - The flawed process of the 2006 IAU vote
06:11 - A better definition of a planet (Geophysical Planetary Definition)
07:27 - The issues with the IAU definition
10:42 - How do planetary scientists define a planet?
12:00 - Moons can be planets, too
13:04 - There are way more than 8 or 9 planets
14:34 - Yes, Pluto is a planet

Other Resources:

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Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Footage and Images: NASA, IAU

💻Equipment Used:
Sony 6500a
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

[geoffreyruzgar]

What is the IAU? I'm an Astronomer and have been since 1967. I never agreed to the IAU having control of the Universe. I am a free thinker and therefore do not need the IAU to dictate that Pluto is not a Planet! Pluto is and always will be a Planet, Period! Dr Alan Stern is of course absolutely correct, we should all ignore the IAU, as far as I'm concerned they are irrelevant. Way to go, Dr. Stern!🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[mechadense]

Exactly. Also all rouge planets are no planets according to the definition.
And we may perhaps find coorbiting exoplanets as big as Earth. Coorbiting like the Sarurn moons Janus and Epimetheus do. It'd be very silly to not call them planets.

[josephftruncale]

I am somewhat ashamed of having fallen for the fallacy. Great video. Thank you!

[coldeb]

The majority of people still regard Pluto as a Planet, (especially here in the U.K).. If we go by the I.A.U 2% then how do they explain Mercury, Pluto is a Planet, it always has been, it always will be..so stuff what a mere 2% say.