Pluto Should Be Reclassified as a Planet, Experts Say
Sept 13, 2018 21:31:27 GMT
Elizabeth likes this
Post by Lone Wanderer on Sept 13, 2018 21:31:27 GMT
The reason Pluto lost its planet status is not valid, according to new research.
Should Pluto be reclassified a planet again? UCF scientist Philip Metzger says yes based on his research.
Metzger recommends classifying a planet based on if it is large enough that its gravity allows it to become spherical in shape.
"And that's not just an arbitrary definition, Metzger said. "It turns out this is an important milestone in the evolution of a planetary body, because apparently when it happens, it initiates active geology in the body."
Pluto, for instance, has an underground ocean, a multilayer atmosphere, organic compounds, evidence of ancient lakes and multiple moons, he said.
"It's more dynamic and alive than Mars," Metzger said. "The only planet that has more complex geology is the Earth."
"And that's not just an arbitrary definition, Metzger said. "It turns out this is an important milestone in the evolution of a planetary body, because apparently when it happens, it initiates active geology in the body."
Pluto, for instance, has an underground ocean, a multilayer atmosphere, organic compounds, evidence of ancient lakes and multiple moons, he said.
"It's more dynamic and alive than Mars," Metzger said. "The only planet that has more complex geology is the Earth."
Source and full article: Pluto should be reclassified as a planet, experts say
