I confess it: there was an ache when Pluto was demoted as a planet. Not that I had ever previously cared about the former planet, Pluto. It just always was. It was the planet you took for granted and you didn’t think about until it was gone. Melodramatic? Nah . . . human! We like the known and we’re saddened when things change. I feel almost sorry for Pluto and I’m wondering how I’ll remember to tell my son that there are only eight planets instead of the original nine.
Dawn and Jennifer told me about the book The Pluto Files. One of them had heard about it on NPR and my interest was piqued. I’m not normally a fan of “science books” but have recently discovered a few titles that really caught my attention and held me captive for awhile. Therefore I was eager to give The Pluto Files a try. I wasn’t disappointed.
There are science-related books and then there are science-related books. This falls into the “fascinating and entertaining” category of the like. (Did you ever think science could be fun? If not, think again!) The Pluto Files is written by Neil DeGrasse Tyson who is an astrophysicist with a wicked sense of humor. He spells things out and makes information very clear in a really funny way, with the inclusion of cartoons, pictures and letters from second graders who were extraordinarily upset by Pluto’s demotion. The Pluto Files is his entertaining answer as to why Pluto was demoted.
Tyson also does a great job in this book by opening with the history of Pluto. Did you know it received its name at the “whim” of an 11 year old girl in Oxford, England? Neither did I! This little dwarf planet certainly has an interesting history surrounding it, giving it great personality. Or perhaps that was Tyson’s personality creeping in and taking over. At any rate, this book was a highly enjoyable and informative read and I enthusiastically offer it up for your reading consideration.
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
Dawn says
Very, very cool. I remember hearing the story once, long ago, about how the planet was named. I think this might be a fun book to read and share bits with my oldest son. Thanks for the review!
Beth says
Fun! I’ve seen this at the bookstore but never got it, and now I may have to pick it up! Thanks!
Laurel Kornfeld says
Please do not teach your son that there are only eight planets, as this is not the case. And there is no need to “ache,” either when you can simply reject the controversial IAU demotion and/or fight for its being overturned.
For another perspective on this ongoing debate, I strongly recommend you read “Is Pluto A Planet?” by Dr. David Weintraub, “The Case for Pluto,” by Alan Boyle due in October, and my book on Pluto, which should be out within the next two years.
Pluto is still a planet. Only four percent of the IAU voted on the controversial demotion, and most are not planetary scientists. Their decision was immediately opposed in a formal petition by hundreds of professional astronomers led by Dr. Alan Stern, Principal Investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto.
And you can find audio transcripts of the Great Planet Debate, held at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab in August 2008, where both sides of this ongoing debate were discussed, by Googling “The Great Planet Debate.”
One reason the IAU definition makes no sense is it says dwarf planets are not planets at all! That is like saying a grizzly bear is not a bear, and it is inconsistent with the use of the term “dwarf” in astronomy, where dwarf stars are still stars, and dwarf galaxies are still galaxies. Also, the IAU definition classifies objects solely by where they are while ignoring what they are. If Earth were in Pluto’s orbit, according to the IAU definition, it would not be a planet either. A definition that takes the same object and makes it a planet in one location and not a planet in another is essentially useless.
Pluto is a planet because it is spherical, meaning it is large enough to be pulled into a round shape by its own gravity–a state known as hydrostatic equilibrium and characteristic of planets, not of shapeless asteroids held together by chemical bonds. These reasons are why many astronomers, lay people, and educators are either ignoring the demotion entirely or working to get it overturned. Using this broader definition gives our solar system 13 planets and counting: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris.
I am a writer and amateur astronomer and proud to be one of these people. You can read more about why Pluto is a planet and worldwide efforts to overturn the demotion by Googling “Laurel’s Pluto Blog.”
Ronnica says
Sounds interesting…I’m always interested in the less technical elements of science. I wonder if future generations will scoff at us for thinking Pluto was a planet like we laugh at those who once thought that the earth was flat?
Laurel Kornfeld says
I think it’s more likely that future generations will scoff at the fact that some astronomers had such a narrow vision of what a planet is. At this point, we cannot even imagine the diversity of planets we will find orbiting other stars. I’m pretty certain that in time, the IAU resolution will be amended (probably multiple times) to include dwarf planets as a subclass of planets.
Just Mom says
Sounds like a great read – I enjoy non-fcition that is written plainly enough to engage a novice!
Rose says
Thanks for the review! I hadn’t heard of this book, but I like scientist authors with wicked senses of humor. Very interesting on the planet debate.
J. Claire M. says
Sounds like a really interesting read. I remember when I was little my siblings and I check out an audio book from the library on all of the different planets. It had a fun fact song for each planet which has always stuck with me some 15+ years later. I was very BUMMED when I heard that the “experts” were changing their story on Pluto’s status…once again.
I’d love to see the history behind all the hub-bub and this book looks like a very entertaining way to do so! Thanks for the review!
Laurel Kornfeld says
J. Claire M.: Remember, the “experts” still do not agree on this. In addition to the other books I mentioned above, try “Pluto Confidential,” written by two authors with opposing perspectives on this issue–Stephen P. Maran and Laurence A. Marschall.
Belle says
I love books about science, and an astrophysicist who writes with humor? Irresistible!
Linna says
I have a passion for astrology. I was in such club in high school. Pluto has always been my favorite planet. No kidding. Probably, it’s that farthest, thus the lonliest. And now it has become something like an outcast. I feel sorry for it. It’s good to learn that there are kids and students feeling a pang for its demotion.
Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books) says
I love books that make something inaccessible (like science for me!) fun and interesting. I’m glad that this one did that.