Horizon Season 2006 Episode 9 Bye Bye Planet Pluto

In the Horizon Season 2006 Episode 9 titled “Bye Bye Planet Pluto,” the viewer is taken on a journey to understand the history and science behind the demotion of Pluto as a planet. The episode starts with the discovery of Pluto in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. This discovery sparked a fascination and curiosity among scientists, leading to many discoveries about the outer regions of our solar system.

However, over the years, new discoveries were made that challenged the classification of Pluto as a planet. The definition of a planet evolved to include three criteria: it must orbit the sun, should have a spherical shape, and must have cleared the area around its orbit. It was the third criterion that was problematic for Pluto as it was in a region of space filled with other icy objects known as the Kuiper Belt.

Scientists began to debate whether Pluto was, in fact, a planet or just a large object in the Kuiper Belt. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was tasked with deciding on the classification of Pluto, and in 2006, it was officially reclassified as a “dwarf planet.”

The episode delves into the various arguments and discussions held by scientists that led to this decision. Through interviews with leading scientists in the field, the episode highlights the contentious nature of the debate and the impact of the decision on the scientific community and the public.

One of the major points discussed in the episode is the significance of the decision made by the IAU. Pluto was the first object to be demoted from being classified as a planet, and this decision brought up questions about what should be considered a planet and what criteria should be used to classify it.

The episode also explores the cultural significance of Pluto, as it had been a part of popular culture and was even taught as one of the nine planets in classrooms. The demotion of Pluto sparked a global fascination with the idea of classifications and how they evolve over time.

Additionally, the episode discusses the implications of the decision on future space exploration. Prior to the reclassification, NASA had sent a mission to Pluto, known as New Horizons. The spacecraft was tasked with studying Pluto and its surrounding areas with the aim of understanding the outer regions of our solar system. The reclassification of Pluto to a “dwarf planet” changed the focus of the mission and what scientists were hoping to uncover.

In conclusion, the Horizon Season 2006 Episode 9 titled “Bye Bye Planet Pluto” provides a comprehensive overview of the history and science behind the reclassification of Pluto as a “dwarf planet.” The episode highlights the debates, decisions, and implications of the reclassification on various aspects of science and popular culture. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the ever-evolving field of space exploration and classification.