Once hailed as the ninth planet in our solar system, Pluto's status took a dramatic turn in 2006 when it was reclassified as a dwarf planet . This distant and enigmatic celestial body continues to fascinate scientists and space enthusiasts alike. Why Pluto Lost its Planetary Status The demotion of Pluto was a direct result of the discovery of numerous other icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt , a region beyond Neptune. These objects, including Eris which is even larger than Pluto, challenged the traditional definition of a planet. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) established three criteria for a celestial body to be considered a planet: Orbits the Sun: Pluto meets this criterion. Has sufficient mass to assume a nearly round shape: Pluto meets this criterion. Has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit: This is where Pluto falls short. It shares its orbital space with other objects in the Kuiper Belt. Pluto's failure to meet the third criterion led to its reclassific...
“The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can't imagine”