Why was Pluto demoted to a dwarf planet?

Pluto is the same size but now the rules for being a planet have been tightened up. It did not pass the new rules even though it was OK under old ones.

Hi. The problem that scientists had to deal with is that our ability to detect faint objects has improved to the point where we see many more things that we could not see before. If they did not define a planet more rigidly then a lot of new "planets" would be discovered each year. If they find an object the meets the new planetary criteria then there will be another planet. Until now they have not.

The International Society of Scientific Research has changed what constitutes a planet.....and Pluto no longer fits the description. Isn't that nice? I hope they don't change what constitutes a human being because a lot of us would be in grave danger of never having existed.

Apparently according to the new definition of a planet it would mean that 2 other ones would have to be added but Instead they decided it would be easier to get rid of Pluto ........... Which stinks it was one of my favorite planets

Astronomers thought it would be funny if they took away the only significant scientific discovery us kansans have. Why do you think they classified it as a dwarf planet? I mean now we have to deal with more wizard of oz crap!

it doesnt have its own orbit. ie it switches orbits with neptune. THey changed the definition of planet and pluto did not fit the definition. now it is just a dwarf planet and the "my mother just served us" phrase is useless. tear tear!

let me give this one a shot. This ridiculous debacle occured because our supergeek planetary scientists needed something controversial in order to1, keep thier jobs, 2, keep that grant $ flowing, or 3, let someone out there know they exist (risky, lest they be asked why). Someone needs to either get a hobby or get a life, 'cause like you. I've got no time for this crap. Good ques. kiddo.

Don't feel bad, Pluto's still a dog star.

It's mostly ice, so if it was near the sun, it would evaporate and be no more. That's why.

its smaller than our moon