Pluto's status as a planet within the Solar System
Pluto's status as a planet within the Solar System has been a subject of debate and controversy. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the organization responsible for classifying celestial bodies, redefined the definition of a planet. This redefinition led to Pluto's reclassification from a planet to a dwarf planet. The main reasons for this reclassification are as follows: 1. Clearing its orbit: According to the IAU's definition, a planet must "clear its orbit" by gravitationally dominating its immediate surroundings. Pluto shares its orbital neighborhood with other icy objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune. It has not cleared its orbit like the eight traditional planets, as its path intersects with other Kuiper Belt objects. This characteristic was a key factor in Pluto's reclassification. 2. Size and characteristics: Although Pluto is relatively large compared to other objects in the Kuiper Belt, it is significantly smaller th...