(a) whether the astronomers of the World have excluded Planet `Pluto` from the Solar System;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether Indian astronomers have agreed to the said view; and
(d) if so, the details therof?
(a) whether the astronomers of the World have excluded Planet `Pluto` from the Solar System;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether Indian astronomers have agreed to the said view; and
(d) if so, the details therof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN):
(a) Pluto is now reclassified as a dwarf planet.
(b),(c)&(d) As new objects are being discovered going around other stars,
astronomers felt that there should be uniform criteria for deciding to
name such objects as planets or into any other category. Examples of
such criteria are that the planet should have enough force of gravity to
get into spherical shape and the barycentre of the planet and its
satellite, if any, should be inside the planet. Since, Pluto does not
satisfy such criteria, it is not called a planet any more and is labelled a
dwarf planet.
The above re-classification was done by the International
Astronomical Union (IAU) at its General Assembly meeting held in
Prague on 24 August 2006. The Indian contingent was also present in
this General Assembly meeting.