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Demotion of Pluto

The world’s astronomers after a tumultuous debate have decided to reduce the number of planets to eight. Little Pluto out in the reaches of the solar system has been the subject of controversy and criticism. This body orbiting out in the deep solar space void is now classified by earth’s sky watchers as a planetoid. Since the solar system was discovered by Copernicus, it’s the second time something has lost planetary status. The object named Ceres was considered as planetary, but was lessened to an asteroid in the last century. Some astronomers suspected another planet did dwell. The search for “Planet X” was begun by Percival Lowell. The orbits of Uranus and Neptune showed perturbations by some outer unknown body pulling with gravitations. For many years, the world’s big telescopes were aimed at the skies. It was a long and frustrating search causing some tired eyes. Many astronomers hoped to find this mystery body. Clyde Tombaugh finally discovered it in 1930. Pluto has a very large body called Charon for a moon. A highly eccentric orbit brings it closer than Neptune. It’s far away where our sun is shining with just a faint glow. These are a few of the facts astronomers would get to know. Pluto’s considered one of many things called a “Plutrino”. It’s the largest of bodies orbiting in the “Kuiper Belt” Reduction from planetary status is what they all felt.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011




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Date: 4/20/2017 2:30:00 PM
At least they found that Pluto wasn't lonely amongst its plutino brothers! Congratulations on your win Robert! :-)
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Date: 4/20/2017 11:00:00 AM
Robert, congratulations on your win!
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Date: 4/18/2017 8:11:00 PM
Congrats to you on your win in my contest, Robert
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Date: 4/9/2014 10:15:00 AM
Enjoyed the write on Many Miles Away theme, congrats on a fine win,robert
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Date: 4/8/2014 4:04:00 AM
Well done Robert... Congratulations on your first place win... Verlena
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Date: 4/7/2014 6:36:00 PM
Wonderful and very educative piece,Robert..Great Narration...Good job..Congrats on your well deserved win...
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Date: 4/7/2014 5:56:00 PM
ROBERT, Congratulations, a wonderful win. Thank you for sharing how far your distance goes. ~SKAT~
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Date: 4/7/2014 9:35:00 AM
I love to see you on my winners list Robert, A very well written poem my friend. Congratulations.......Roger
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Date: 1/23/2011 8:27:00 AM
great rhyme on an interesting topic, you have a very eclectic taste in topics
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Date: 1/23/2011 6:47:00 AM
Great writing! I love these works of yours -- the melding of facts into poetry. Most excellent poem, Mr. Pettit. Love, Deb
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Date: 1/22/2011 7:43:00 PM
Why can't they just leave our solar system intact, Robert? To me, Pluto will always be a planet (as well as a dog in a comic strip), but I didn't know about Ceres. This is quite a revelation and I'm a science reader who loves to learn new things. Brilliant poem, Robert, and the research you did produced astonishing results. Another one for my favorites, my friend. Love, Carolyn
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Date: 1/22/2011 6:16:00 PM
Robert, you have done a great job in researching this subject of borderline planets. I respect your exposition in poem form. Great write indeed. I may include my prose version in the Articles section of poetrysoup. Thanks for your knowledgeable comments.
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Date: 1/22/2011 6:06:00 PM
Robert just luv your poem on Pluto.. your rhyme sequence is superb my friend and great imagery unfolds in every line.. your opening stanza is great luv..
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