WHEN the International Astronomical Union downgraded Pluto to a 鈥渄warf planet鈥� in 2006, outrage broke out on a grand scale. On page 44, there鈥檚 good news for Plutophiles. The great Pluto debate is far from over and, by one 鈥� rounded 鈥� definition, even the moon could be redefined as a planet. Ultimately, of course, this cosmic brouhaha changes nothing. In fact it makes astronomers look like stamp collectors, not serious scientists. Can these fine minds please focus on something more productive?
Time to end the great Pluto debate
Let's move on from the sterile argument about the meaning of the word planet 鈥� it changes nothing and risks bringing astronomy into disrepute