what is controversy of PLuto's status as a planet
Here are a couple:
It has a much more eccentric and tilted orbit than any of the other planets. Its orbit is tilted at an angle to the plane of the orbits of the other planets.
It’s smaller than some of the planetary moons in our solar system, including our own moon I think.
It does not dominate its own orbit.
The controversy surrounding Pluto's status as a planet emerged when its classification was re-evaluated by astronomers in 2006. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) created a new definition for a planet, which resulted in Pluto being reclassified as a "dwarf planet." This decision sparked several points of contention:
1. Eccentric and tilted orbit: Unlike the other planets in our solar system, Pluto has a highly eccentric and inclined orbit. This means that instead of moving in a relatively circular path around the Sun within a flat plane, Pluto's orbit is more elliptical and tilted. Some argue that this unique orbit makes Pluto more similar to a comet or other celestial objects rather than a planet.
2. Size comparison: Another aspect of the controversy is Pluto's small size compared to other planets and even some moons in our solar system. It is smaller than several natural satellites, such as Earth's moon, Ganymede (a moon of Jupiter), and Titan (a moon of Saturn). Critics argue that if Pluto is considered a planet, then other similarly sized objects in the solar system should also be included as planets.
3. Failure to dominate its orbit: According to the IAU's new definition, a planet must "clear its orbit" or be the dominant gravitational force in its vicinity. Some astronomers argue that Pluto fails to meet this criterion because its orbit intersects with that of Neptune. They contend that this interaction undermines Pluto's claim to planetary status.
It is important to note that these points of controversy are not universally agreed upon by scientists and astronomers. The reclassification of Pluto still remains a topic of discussion and debate within the scientific community.