It’s a debate as old as, well, 2006. The status of planet Pluto. I feel the generational split on this one is about 50/50. There were those of us taught that Pluto is the ninth planet in the solar system. And now there is a good portion of those taught that there are only 8 planets, and Pluto is now classified as a “dwarf planet.” (Do they even teach that Pluto used to be a planet anymore?)

It’s time to give it up for and throw it back to planet Pluto, forever the ninth planet in our solar system. #TeamPluto

The planet Pluto was only just discovered in 1930. Clyde Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona declared Pluto was now the ninth planet in our solar system.

Fast forward to 2006 and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) came up with new classifications for planets, and Pluto got the pink slip. Essentially, Pluto and its moons don’t have a clear orbit, one of three new criteria to achieve “planet” status. And until recently I always blamed Neil deGrasse Tyson for the demotion of Pluto. And boy, did I stew about this. I am one of the many out there who just will not accept this reclassification. And my opinion on deGrasse Tyson was very, very skewed toward an endless grudge. But wouldn’t you know, it wasn’t deGrasse Tyson, but astronomer Mike Brown.

In an interview from “On the Verge” back in 2012 deGrasse Tyson explained, “All I did was drive the getaway car.” Meaning, he didn’t commit the crime, but he supported it. And if you don’t quite take this crime personally, they treat it like a mob boss killing your grandma right in front of your eyes. A bit dramatic? Maybe.

This grudge of mine will most likely be a lifetime appointment. But if it’s worth reading Mike Brown’s book How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming, I am one that supports fun and fair debate. Let me know and I’ll pick up a copy!

But I think I have here a solid case as to why you don’t go scorched earth on the God of the Underworld. Thanks to a little cocktail hour gossiping with my bestie (the very friend I killed in Oregon Trail as told in my very first article here at The Loftus Party), she expressed her views on the whole demotion of Pluto as paralleled to Greek Mythology.

“Pluto is Hades. Hades is the LEAST problematic Olympian. He just wants to be God of the Underworld. But can Zeus and Poseidon just let him be? No. They mess with him until he gets mad and shit goes sideways. Pluto gets demoted in 2006 and what happens here? The recession. A true FAFO moment here and we just brush it off like nothing.”

Greek Mythology aside, learning about the planets and outer space as a kid in the 80s and 90s was memorable. Especially on StarLab day.

We would read amazing books, watch entertaining movies on the class projector, participate in StarLab, and learned songs or mnemonics to remember the names of all the planets. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. And what book do I remember most? The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System.

Ms. Frizzle does it again; taking the kids on a whacky adventure. This time through outer space. And Arnold’s annoying-ass cousin, Janet, joins the class. If you have kids, this is still a fun read today. Although, page 32 looks a little different…

I’m pretty sure the status of Pluto was not in question back when my generation was reading this at school. After doing a little research, it appears the book was edited back in 2006. It now makes mention that Pluto is no longer a planet. The ninth planet has also been removed from the book’s illustrations. The exception being pages explaining the new classification to “dwarf planet.” Wild!

I’m now trying to figure out (without bias of course) if kids today are learning the former status of Pluto. Or, are they just learning the remaining eight planets, dwarf planets aside. What I gather so far is kids are learning that Pluto’s status changed from “planet” to “dwarf planet.” It also seems like kids books of today still include Pluto, although not forgetting to mention it’s “dwarf planet” status.

One thing I know for sure, growing up, we only learned 9 planet names. Now kids are learning 8 planet names + 5 dwarf planet names. Haha, joke’s on them. But in all seriousness, it is very impressive that kids are learning and remembering all of this information. Keep it up kids!

So, clearly this week’s throwback was kind of personal. Pluto’s demotion certainly effects my generation probably more than it should. To think that in less than ONE Pluto year (248 Earth years), Pluto was discovered and classified as a planet, and then demoted from the planet lineup. Celebrated and eliminated. It’s kind of sad. A toast to planet Pluto. You’ll forever be the ninth planet to me and many here on Earth. #TeamPluto