Proud Of Pluto (And Illinois)
-Proud Of Pluto (And Illinois)-
There are moments where I'm proud to live in Illinois and then there are moments that make me really proud to live here.
This is one of those moments where I'm really proud.
But, first, a little history.
Back in 2006, our world was forever changed and not for the better. Growing up, throughout elementary school, we memorized mnemonics that helped us to remember the names of our nine planets. For example, a popular one was "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas". (Hopefully with breadsticks!!) But, in something that could only was an absolute travesty and a sham and a mockery (indeed a traveshamockery). Yes, you'd have to make up words to describe how terrible this event really was. You'd have to make up words just to describe how scandalous this really was. I think we all know where this is heading.
In 2006, the IAU (International Astronomical Union) voted to remove Pluto from the list of planets, effectively demoting it to the status of dwarf planet.
Never mind that only 424 of its over 10,000 members voted to impose a foolish and indeed binding resolution that was held on the very last day of a two week convention with no absentee voting allowed. With something this big and this important, why do it that way? The whole thing was an injury to science and one that can only be healed through restoring Pluto to planetary status. Personally, I believe that not only is the decision controversial, but so vague and nonsensical as to be rendered meaningless.
Which is where Illinois comes in. In a big nod to the underdog, the Illinois State Senate adopted a resolution to restore Pluto to full planetary status, which you can read here. This also makes March 13 Pluto Day, in honor of the day its discovery was announced. This makes me almost as proud as the fact that most of the classic 80's movies from the one and only John Hughes (Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty In Pink etc.) were filmed here in the state. Not quite as proud, but still one of my prouder moments as an Illinois resident.
So, kudos to Illinois for not allowing them to change the mnemonic to something along the lines of "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nothing", which describes exactly what the IAU gave us. Congratulations to them for supporting Pluto, who although small, will always be a planet to me. Have all of the members of the IAU been too busy demoting planets to read classic books such as Charlotte's Web, which shows that the runt of the litter can often be the best. Or perhaps they haven't taken the time to watch Lord of the Rings (or read them) in which Tolkien shows that the smallest can often be the biggest among us. If they haven't, then they are more out of touch than this decision shows.
Numerous scientists are working to overturn this decision but this is a big step forward and hopefully more people will realize that Pluto is still a planet that deserves to be recognized as one yet again. Thank goodness for places like Illinois who can stand up for what's right and good once again. Pluto is a planet again - at least in Illinois - and in the hearts of amazing people everywhere. Pluto will be a planet once more.
This is one of those moments where I'm really proud.
But, first, a little history.
Back in 2006, our world was forever changed and not for the better. Growing up, throughout elementary school, we memorized mnemonics that helped us to remember the names of our nine planets. For example, a popular one was "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas". (Hopefully with breadsticks!!) But, in something that could only was an absolute travesty and a sham and a mockery (indeed a traveshamockery). Yes, you'd have to make up words to describe how terrible this event really was. You'd have to make up words just to describe how scandalous this really was. I think we all know where this is heading.
In 2006, the IAU (International Astronomical Union) voted to remove Pluto from the list of planets, effectively demoting it to the status of dwarf planet.
Never mind that only 424 of its over 10,000 members voted to impose a foolish and indeed binding resolution that was held on the very last day of a two week convention with no absentee voting allowed. With something this big and this important, why do it that way? The whole thing was an injury to science and one that can only be healed through restoring Pluto to planetary status. Personally, I believe that not only is the decision controversial, but so vague and nonsensical as to be rendered meaningless.
Which is where Illinois comes in. In a big nod to the underdog, the Illinois State Senate adopted a resolution to restore Pluto to full planetary status, which you can read here. This also makes March 13 Pluto Day, in honor of the day its discovery was announced. This makes me almost as proud as the fact that most of the classic 80's movies from the one and only John Hughes (Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty In Pink etc.) were filmed here in the state. Not quite as proud, but still one of my prouder moments as an Illinois resident.
So, kudos to Illinois for not allowing them to change the mnemonic to something along the lines of "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nothing", which describes exactly what the IAU gave us. Congratulations to them for supporting Pluto, who although small, will always be a planet to me. Have all of the members of the IAU been too busy demoting planets to read classic books such as Charlotte's Web, which shows that the runt of the litter can often be the best. Or perhaps they haven't taken the time to watch Lord of the Rings (or read them) in which Tolkien shows that the smallest can often be the biggest among us. If they haven't, then they are more out of touch than this decision shows.
Numerous scientists are working to overturn this decision but this is a big step forward and hopefully more people will realize that Pluto is still a planet that deserves to be recognized as one yet again. Thank goodness for places like Illinois who can stand up for what's right and good once again. Pluto is a planet again - at least in Illinois - and in the hearts of amazing people everywhere. Pluto will be a planet once more.
