Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Pluto Is Still a Planet, Illinois Senate Declares

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 6, 2009 12:59 PM CST

(Newser) – Having helped install a hometown boy in the White House and ousted its colorful governor, Illinois is next out to save Pluto, the Guardian reports. The state senate blasted the International Astronomical Union’s 2006 decision to demote the erstwhile ninth planet to a “dwarf planet,” and voted unanimously to return to “full planetary status” the orb first sighted in 1930 by a native son, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch adds.

The senate said Pluto was “unfairly downgraded” and declared next Friday “Pluto Day” as a nod to astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, the Streator, Ill., man credited with its discovery.

Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet in 2006, because it didn't meet the requirement that a planet clear the area around it of debris due to its gravity.
Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet in 2006, because it didn't meet the requirement that a planet clear the area around it of debris due to its gravity.   (Shutter Stock)
The Illinois Senate, by a unanimous vote, has returned full planetary status to Pluto, first spotted by a native son.
The Illinois Senate, by a unanimous vote, has returned "full planetary status" to Pluto, first spotted by a native son.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Whatever your views on Pluto's rightful status, it's heartening to see that the fate of that small rock, and so the size of the solar system, is still up in the air. - Ian Sample, Guardian

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Guest
Mar 8, 2009 1:46 AM CST
Ha!
Guest
Mar 7, 2009 6:06 AM CST
It's a ball of ice. Get over it.
Guest
Mar 6, 2009 10:38 PM CST
nice grammer skills,"I do not believe that it should be the government should attempt to over ride the decisions of the scientific community."

More Newser Stories

Small, Heavy, and Shiny— Planetoid Surprises Astronomers

NASA Snaps First Shots of Mercury From Orbit

Kepler Results Boost Chances of Finding Alien Life

New Planet Sought at Edge of Solar System

Alien Planet Discovered in Milky Way


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne