In 2006 Pluto lost its designation as a planet. What else did it lose at the same time?
As part of the demotion process from planet to dwarf planet, to maintain consistency Pluto was stripped of its name and given a number like all other non-planetary objects in the solar system. Pluto was reclassified and renamed with the designation 134340. The decision was made to reinforce Pluto’s demotion - every asteroid in our solar system is given a number, so the same process was taken to officially ‘dwarf’ the former planet.
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
66 Comments
stormejohn
Last I heard Neil deGrasse Tyson is still calling Pluto Pluto, I haven't heard him referring to Pluto as the object formally named Pluto now called 134340. So if he is calling Pluto Pluto It's still Pluto to me.
Rick Anderau
Nice try, but wrong! Pluto is still called Pluto by every reliable astronomical authority!
Larry Kuykendall
Yet, all science still refers in classifications the name Pluto.
Kevin Coleman
Bad question. NASA still calls Pluto by that name. What group took away the name? Put that in your explanation!
Ian Swindale
I've never heard of that and I bet 99% of people would still call it Pluto
stormejohn
Forgot to mention that many of our asteroid's have names such as Ceres and Vesta. Is someone stripping all their names away as well? Sure hope not!
Diana Newman
I answered Pluto and of course got it wrong BUT it will always be Pluto to me and it is not such a mouthful as 134340.
Cheryl Dunn
It's still named Pluto by anyone who mentions it. :(
Denise Currie
Although Pluto is now a Dwarf Planet it is still referred to as Pluto, so this is the wrong answer. After being marked incorrect I checked with several sites including NASA's and they all referred to it as Pluto the Dwarf Planet.
Denise Currie
Kevin Coleman, I agree, after being marked incorrect I check three different sites including NATO's and they all referred to it as Pluto the Dwarf Planet
Paulette Arnold
It will always be Pluto.
Eli
🎵 they've given it a number, and taken away its name 🎶
Eve
Pluto will always be Pluto to me...after all, it is still a dwarf planet and deserves recognition and a name
tyafter
I thought Pluto was Mickey's dog?!
Cheryl Love
Astronomers call is Pluto!
maidofstardust
Cold blooded. I will always refer to Pluto as the smallest planet.
Phil Kennelty
I can't quite imagine Mickey Mouse saying "Down 134340, Down boy!"
Char
Char, much easier to remember than a number
Char
How would I know that I still call it Pluto though I know it's not a planet
Satish Chandran
Pluto,Pluto, pour your gold upon me.
Jas Newman
Ian Swindale, Including the person who wrote the question. Otherwise, the question would have begun "In 2006, 134340 lost its designation as a planet."
steve
If Earth were redesignated by a number, would it still be called "Earth" by everyone?? You betcha!!! Pluto is STILL called PLUTO!!
earlepg
jonbroberts put out the word 3 weeks before now that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) declassified Pluto for one reason that others disagree with. Hopefully Pluto will regain its rightful status as a full-fleged planet. In the meantime, I join with all those who refuse to call Pluto by a mere number. Long live Pluto!
Jerry Edwards
Jerry Edwards,
Actually, I read an article the other day that said that Ceres is a dwarf planet as well, and resides within the asteroid belt.
Before reading it, I thought it was just the largest asteroid in our solar system.
mixdnut
I heard Elon Musk building a condo there