Solar system underdog

What makes a planet a planet? In Alan Boyle’s new book The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference, the author addresses the heated debate in the scientific world as to how scientists determine the status of unknown objects in the universe. Boyle makes the case for one of the most controversial planets, or whatever you’d like to call it.

“The book does cover the political back-story behind what happened to Pluto, and how scientists are human too,” Boyle said.

Boyle, who’s a science writer for the Microsoft National Broadcasting Company (MSNBC) Web site, has been considering controversies surrounding Pluto’s status since 2003, especially the 2006 decision to demote Pluto from planetary status.

“You have to consider all these icy worlds that are being found and ask questions what it means to be a planet,” said Boyle, who argues that Pluto is a planet despite its small size.

A common misconception, Boyle explains, is that size determines a planet from a floating piece of space junk. In fact, some scientists would tell you it’s the geological potential, atmosphere or number of moons. Boyle will tell you it’s a complex discussion, and there’s really no right way to decide.

“People think that Pluto is just a piece of leftover junk out there, and that it doesn’t count,” Boyle said. “Really, Pluto is a survivor.”

Boyle and others will tell you that Pluto is the oddball of the solar system. Its distance from Earth has always made it difficult for scientists to learn more about it. It took some time for scientists to discover that Pluto survived a giant cosmic collision causing one of its moons Charon to develop—much like the process of development for our own moon, according to scientists.

Still, Pluto is considered somewhat of an underdog in the solar system. Some may wonder what the cultural fascination with Pluto is.

“Some people say it’s all because of the dog,” Boyle said. “A year after Pluto was discovered, Walt Disney created the character named Pluto. Some people think it’s [solely] associated with the dog. I think there’s more to it.”

Judging from how the media and people responded three years ago to the news of Pluto losing its planetary title, the subject has proved to be more complex than a Disney reference. It had more to do with the way you’d root for a sports team deemed the underdog of a championship game.

The Case for Pluto really isn’t just about Pluto, but about how politics play a role in even the scientific world. So, even if you don’t agree with Boyle that Pluto should have the status as a planet once again, you may learn a thing or two about how scientists rationalize and debate over planets.

“I hope it’s fascinating for people that may not be interested in even taking a physics class, but are interested in how scientists do their work as humans,” Boyle said.