Pluto's 20-Year Reclassification Anniversary: Why Scientists and Public Still Love the Dwarf Planet

Two decades have passed since the International Astronomical Union (IAU) designated Pluto as a dwarf planet on August 24, 2006, and it continues to intrigue many. Discovered by Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, Pluto was announced on March 13, 1930, which was also the 75th birthday of Percival Lowell. The IAU's decision came after Eris was found in 2005, establishing criteria that Pluto failed to meet, specifically the requirement to clear its orbital neighborhood. This led to controversy, with Alan Stern labeling the vote 'a debacle.' The New Horizons mission, which launched on January 19, 2006, provided insights into Pluto's geological activity when it flew by in July 2015. The IAU plans to convene in 2027 to discuss Pluto's classification.