In 2006, the IAU reclassified Pluto as a “dwarf planet” due to its inability to clear its orbit of other debris. This decision was made because Pluto, unlike the eight major planets, shares its orbit with many other objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region filled with icy bodies beyond Neptune. To be considered a full-fledged planet, an object must orbit the Sun, be spherical in shape, and clear its orbit of other debris. Pluto meets the first two criteria but fails the third, leading to its reclassification.
For decades, Pluto was considered the ninth planet, and many people were surprised and even disappointed by the change. However, scientists continue to study Pluto, and in 2015, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft provided detailed images, revealing mountains, valleys, and even possible signs of underground oceans.
Despite its new classification, Pluto remains an important part of our solar system. Many astronomers believe there may be even more Pluto-like objects in the Kuiper Belt, expanding our knowledge of the solar system’s outer reaches.
