Why Is PLUTO Not A Planet? | Dwarf Planet | Space Video | Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

Peekaboo Kidz

2 Apr 202105:11

Summary

TLDRThis script delves into the fascinating history and controversy surrounding Pluto's declassification from a planet to a dwarf planet. It explains the three criteria set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for celestial bodies to be considered planets and why Pluto failed to meet the third, leading to its reclassification. The video also introduces other dwarf planets like Eris, Haumea, and Makemake, and shares intriguing trivia about Pluto, such as its ice volcanoes and subsurface ocean.

Takeaways

📚 The script starts with a playful introduction to the topic of planets, specifically addressing Pluto's status.
🌟 Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, but this changed in 2006.
🔍 The International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a 'dwarf planet' due to not meeting all criteria for a full planet status.
🌍 The IAU has three criteria for a celestial body to be considered a planet: orbiting the sun, being spherical, and clearing its orbit of other debris.
🚀 Pluto meets the first two criteria but fails the third due to the presence of other celestial bodies in its orbit, such as in the Kuiper Belt.
🧐 Other celestial bodies like Haumea and Makemake were also identified as dwarf planets, similar to Pluto.
🔎 The discovery of Eris, which is even larger than Pluto, further complicated the classification of celestial bodies in our solar system.
👧 The name 'Pluto' was suggested by an 11-year-old girl named Venetia Burney in 1930.
🌋 Pluto is unique for having ice volcanoes and a possible subsurface ocean.
📘 The reclassification of Pluto led to updates in educational materials and textbooks.
🌐 The script ends with a trivia fact and a sign-off from the host, Dr. Binox.

Q & A

What was the ultimate million-dollar question asked in the script?
-The ultimate million-dollar question was 'Which is the smallest planet in our solar system?'
Why was Pluto initially considered a planet?
-Pluto was initially considered a planet because it revolved around the Sun and was spherical in shape.
What event in 2006 changed Pluto's status from a planet to something else?
-In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) declared Pluto as not a planet, which changed its status.
What are the three essential criteria for a celestial body to be classified as a planet according to the IAU?
-The three essential criteria are: the object should revolve around the Sun, it should be spherical in shape, and it should have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit of other objects.
Why does Pluto not meet the third criterion for being a planet?
-Pluto does not meet the third criterion because it has not cleared the neighborhood objects around its orbit, as there are other celestial bodies in its vicinity.
What is the status of Pluto after it was reclassified by the IAU?
-After being reclassified, Pluto's status is that of a dwarf planet.
What are the names of the two planets found in the Kuiper belt similar to Pluto?
-The two planets found in the Kuiper belt similar to Pluto are Haumea and Makemake.
Which celestial body discovered in 2005 was bigger than Pluto?
-Eris was discovered in 2005 and was found to be bigger than Pluto.
Who suggested the name 'Pluto' for the celestial body discovered in 1930?
-Vanessa Bernie, an 11-year-old at the time, suggested the name 'Pluto'.
What unique features does Pluto have that are not common among other planets in the solar system?
-Pluto has unique features such as ice volcanoes and an ocean hidden under its icy surface.
What is the name of the presenter in the script, and what is their closing remark?
-The presenter's name is Dr. Binox, and their closing remark is 'until next time it's me, Dr. Binox zooming out, on never mind'.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Pluto's Downgrade: The Million Dollar Question

This paragraph introduces the topic of Pluto's reclassification from a planet to a dwarf planet. It discusses the historical context of Pluto being considered the ninth planet and the confusion that arose when it was delisted in 2006. The script sets the stage for an exploration of the reasons behind this change, focusing on the criteria established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for what constitutes a planet.

📚 The IAU's Planetary Criteria and Pluto's Dilemma

This section delves into the three criteria set by the IAU for a celestial body to be classified as a planet. It explains that Pluto meets the first two criteria of orbiting the sun and being spherical but fails the third, which requires a planet to have cleared its orbit of other debris. The discovery of similar celestial bodies in the Kuiper Belt, such as Haumea and Makemake, and the larger object Eris, further complicates Pluto's status. The paragraph highlights the IAU's decision to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet based on these criteria.

🌌 The Kuiper Belt and Dwarf Planets

This paragraph discusses the discovery of other celestial bodies in the Kuiper Belt, like Haumea and Makemake, which share characteristics with Pluto but do not meet the IAU's criteria for planets. The script mentions the 2005 discovery of Eris, an object larger than Pluto, which also does not clear its orbit. These findings led to the IAU's classification system to differentiate between planets and dwarf planets, with Pluto and similar bodies being categorized as the latter.

🌟 Pluto Facts and the Episode Conclusion

The final paragraph wraps up the episode with some trivia about Pluto. It shares the historical fact that an 11-year-old girl, Venetia Burney, suggested the name 'Pluto' in 1930. The script also mentions unique features of Pluto, such as its ice volcanoes and a hidden ocean beneath its surface. The episode concludes with a sign-off from the host, Dr. Binox, promising more educational content in future episodes.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Solar System

The solar system refers to the gravitationally bound system comprising the Sun and the objects that orbit it, including eight planets, their moons, asteroids, and other celestial bodies. In the video, the solar system is the context for discussing the classification of celestial bodies and the redefinition of what constitutes a planet, with a focus on Pluto's status.

💡Pluto

Pluto is a dwarf planet in the solar system that was once considered the ninth planet. The video script discusses the historical perception of Pluto as a planet and its subsequent reclassification due to not meeting all the criteria set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

💡International Astronomical Union (IAU)

The IAU is the international organization responsible for setting standards and definitions in astronomy. The video mentions the IAU's role in redefining the criteria for what constitutes a planet, which led to Pluto's declassification as a planet in 2006.

💡Planetary Criteria

The planetary criteria are the three essential conditions set by the IAU for a celestial body to be classified as a planet. The video explains that a celestial body must orbit the Sun, be spherical in shape, and have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit of other objects. Pluto met the first two but not the third, leading to its reclassification.

💡Dwarf Planet

A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun, has enough mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit of other objects, and is not a satellite (moon) of another object. The video script uses the term to describe Pluto's current classification and mentions other dwarf planets like Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.

💡Clyde Tombaugh

Clyde Tombaugh was an American astronomer who is credited with the discovery of Pluto in 1930. The video script acknowledges his contribution to astronomy and the historical significance of his discovery.

💡Kuiper Belt

The Kuiper Belt is a region of space beyond Neptune's orbit that is home to many small celestial bodies, including Pluto and other dwarf planets. The video script mentions the Kuiper Belt as the location where Pluto and other similar celestial bodies were found, influencing the reevaluation of Pluto's planetary status.

💡Eris

Eris is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt that is notable for being more massive than Pluto. The video script uses Eris as an example of another celestial body discovered in the 2000s that, like Pluto, does not meet all the IAU's criteria for a planet.

💡Haumea and Makemake

Haumea and Makemake are two other dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt, similar to Pluto in that they do not meet the IAU's criteria for clearing their orbits of other objects. The video script mentions them to illustrate that Pluto is not the only celestial body reclassified as a dwarf planet.

💡Ice Volcanoes

Ice volcanoes, also known as cryovolcanoes, are a type of volcanic phenomenon that erupts water, ammonia, or methane, rather than molten rock. The video script mentions that Pluto is the only known celestial body in the solar system with ice volcanoes, highlighting a unique feature of this dwarf planet.

💡Subsurface Ocean

A subsurface ocean is a layer of liquid water that exists beneath the surface of a planet or moon. The video script reveals that Pluto has an ocean hidden beneath its icy surface, which is an intriguing aspect of its geological makeup.

Highlights

The smallest planet in our solar system is a subject of debate, with Pluto being a common misconception.

Pluto was delisted from its status as a planet, causing mass confusion about its identity.

Before 2006, Pluto was considered the ninth planet in our solar system.

Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer, discovered Pluto in 1930.

In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) declared Pluto as not a planet.

For a celestial body to be considered a planet, it must fulfill three essential criteria set by the IAU.

Pluto meets the first two criteria of revolving around the Sun and being spherical in shape.

Pluto fails to meet the third criterion of clearing its orbit of other celestial bodies.

Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet due to its inability to clear its orbit.

Other celestial bodies in the Kuiper belt, like Haumea and Makemake, share Pluto's dwarf planet status.

Eris, discovered in 2005, is another dwarf planet that is even bigger than Pluto.

The IAU's checklist helps classify celestial bodies based on their ability to meet the three criteria.

Pluto and similar bodies fit the first two criteria but not the third, leading to their classification as dwarf planets.

Vanessa Bernie, at 11 years old, suggested the name 'Pluto' in 1930.

Pluto is unique in the solar system for having ice volcanoes.

An ocean is hidden under Pluto's icy surface, a feature not common to other planets.

The episode aims to educate viewers on the reclassification of Pluto and its unique characteristics.