Quote:
Originally Posted by Xist
So, everybody decided to ditch Pluto twelve years ago, and while everyone had reasons, I just discovered the alleged real reason the other day--Pluto does not clear its own orbit.
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I think "Clearing it's own orbit" refers to having it's orbit clear of other bodies. This clearing occurs during the accretion phase of planetary development.
Pluto's orbit is far more eccentric than the other eight planets, and is not in the same general plane as the others. Pluto seems to be a captured body from another solar system, and perhaps too recently for it to clear it's orbit.
I will still call Pluto, a planet in honor of Clyde Tombaugh.