For the longest time, outer space has been one of the most fascinating things to me. The idea that the world beyond our atmosphere is infinite, and continues to create unusual universes and concepts, always gives me excitement. Since I developed a passionate adoration of space, there was a certain topic that always got me worked up: is Pluto a planet?

   I believe Pluto is not a planet. It is analyzed as a dwarf planet, which according to Google means “a celestial body resembling a small planet but lacking certain technical criteria that are required for it to be classed as such.” It may have the looks of a planet, but does it have the requirements of every planet in our solar system?

   “I don’t think Pluto is a planet, I think it’s more of an outlier in comparison to other planets. If you ask someone: ‘What do you know about Pluto?’ I bet there wouldn’t be much knowledge of it on the spot since it’s so cast out,” said Vieneymiel Montecellio (11).

   Pluto is found to not even be in the planetary region of planets but is found within the Kuniper Belt. It is the ring of asteroids, comets, and other dwarf planets that lay in the outer solar system. Pluto has been labeled the ‘King of Dwarf Planets’ in the Kuniper Belt since it is recognized the most.

   “Although Pluto is considered the dwarf planet in our solar system, it’s still a planet regardless because it has a clear orbit around our sun and exhibits certain planet qualities,” states Karen Siapno (11).

   The dwarf planet may have a clear orbit around the sun, but not in the normal sense. Pluto orbits the sun in an oval motion, whereas every other planet orbits the sun in a circular motion. Even though this seems like a small detail, people also ignore the fact that other objects in space like comets and asteroids orbit the sun as well. So if anything orbits the sun, is it a planet? I don’t think so.

   However, I know Pluto has many qualities like every other planet including unusual environments, an atmosphere, and more. They are unique, like how every planet should be. But is it enough?

   According to NASA, apparently not. There must be a clear neighborhood around the orbit of the planet, and Pluto shares its orbit with other Kuniper Belt objects. Despite all the planet-like qualities of Pluto, it is still not enough to be seen labeled as a true ‘planet’.

   “The truth is that I believe it shouldn’t matter whether one wants to classify Pluto as a technical planet or not, in the end, it’s just a label,” exclaims Alana Cerbas (11).

   Regardless, Pluto has gone through a lot. It was seen as a planet then it wasn’t. Then it was not seen as a planet and now, it is being reconsidered. Yet, through all of this, it is still an essence of the world beyond ours and continues to captivate those who look to the stars.