Arizona’s Unique Decision
Arizona, located in the southwestern United States, has officially designated Pluto as its “state planet,” a decision that stands in contrast to the International Astronomical Union’s reclassification of Pluto as a “dwarf planet.”
Background
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed a bill on March 29, officially naming Pluto as the “official state planet” of Arizona. Despite Pluto’s reclassification, Governor Hobbs expressed pride in Arizona’s historical connection to space exploration.
Clyde Tombaugh’s Discovery
American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1930. This makes Pluto the only planet to have been discovered in the United States.
Legislative Response
State Senator Justin Wilmeth praised the legislation, highlighting Clyde Tombaugh’s remarkable discovery process. However, Senator Sally Ann Gonzales, among the senators who opposed the bill, emphasized the importance of considering scientific information in legislative decisions.
The Status of Pluto
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto as a “dwarf planet,” citing its failure to meet the criteria for planetary classification. This decision placed Pluto in the category of dwarf planets.
Pluto’s Classification
According to NASA, Pluto is located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune and was previously considered the ninth planet. The reclassification by the IAU in 2006 changed its status to a dwarf planet.
Origin of the Name
Pluto was named by 11-year-old Venetia Burney of Oxford, England, adding a unique human touch to its astronomical identity.
Scientific Rationale
Encyclopedia Britannica categorizes Pluto as a dwarf planet due to its spherical shape but lack of gravitational dominance to clear its orbital path of other celestial bodies.
