Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
There are WAY more planets in our solar system than you realize. To be honest, this is probably my favorite video to date because this story is a lot bigger and more exciting than I expected.
Today, I’m joined by expert planetary scientist Dr. Alan Stern to tackle a hotly debated topic: Why is Pluto not a planet, at least according to the IAU? And why do NASA and planetary scientists, including Dr. Stern, argue that Pluto should be a planet? We'll dive into the reasons behind the International Astronomical Union's controversial 2006 redefinition and explore why it might be fundamentally flawed.
Dr. Stern, who led NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto, offers an authoritative perspective, revealing that there are actually far more than the traditional 8 or 9 planets in our solar system. We're going to learn about the geophysical definition of a planet, which includes over a hundred celestial bodies, and why this broader view matters.
As you can tell, this episode is not just about Pluto; it's about recognizing the diverse array of planets that make our solar system fascinating. From Pluto, to our very own moon. Tune in to uncover the scientific and political drama behind Pluto's demotion and discover why redefining planets can spark curiosity and exploration in the next generation of scientists.
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Why isn't Pluto a planet anymore?
01:45 - Meet Dr. Alan Stern
02:40 - Why did the IAU vote to change the definition of a planet?
04:24 - The flawed process of the 2006 IAU vote
06:11 - A better definition of a planet (Geophysical Planetary Definition)
07:27 - The issues with the IAU definition
10:42 - How do planetary scientists define a planet?
12:00 - Moons can be planets, too
13:04 - There are way more than 8 or 9 planets
14:34 - Yes, Pluto is a planet
Other Resources:
🔗 Geophysical Planet Definition (Universities Space Research Association) https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2017/eposter/1448.pdf
🔗 Study by Dr. Philip Metzger on Planetary Definition in Scientific Literature researchgate.net/publication/355730140_Moons_Are_Planets_Scientific_Usefulness_Versus_Cultural_Teleology_in_the_Taxonomy_of_Planetary_Science
🔗 48th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference abstract on the Geophysical Planetary Definition https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2017/pdf/1448.pdf
🔗 Wikipedia Geophysical Planet Definition en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophysical_definition_of_planet
🔗 Dr. Alan Stern’s Website https://alanstern.space
🔗 Dr. Stern’s lecture on Planethood and Pluto youtube.com/watch?v=fvkauNOfKL4
🔗 Press release from the IAU in 2006 iau.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iau0603
🔗 Video of IAU 2006 Session 2, in which the debate and vote take place iau.org/public/videos/detail/iau2006session2
🔗 Images from the 2006 IAU iau.org/public/images/archive/category/general_assembly_2006
👨🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv
🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!
Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
Special Guest: Dr. Alan Stern https://alanstern.space
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates/)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Footage and Images: NASA, IAU
💻Equipment Used:
Sony 6500a
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion
There are WAY more planets in our solar system than you realize. To be honest, this is probably my favorite video to date because this story is a lot bigger and more exciting than I expected.
Today, I’m joined by expert planetary scientist Dr. Alan Stern to tackle a hotly debated topic: Why is Pluto not a planet, at least according to the IAU? And why do NASA and planetary scientists, including Dr. Stern, argue that Pluto should be a planet? We'll dive into the reasons behind the International Astronomical Union's controversial 2006 redefinition and explore why it might be fundamentally flawed.
Dr. Stern, who led NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto, offers an authoritative perspective, revealing that there are actually far more than the traditional 8 or 9 planets in our solar system. We're going to learn about the geophysical definition of a planet, which includes over a hundred celestial bodies, and why this broader view matters.
As you can tell, this episode is not just about Pluto; it's about recognizing the diverse array of planets that make our solar system fascinating. From Pluto, to our very own moon. Tune in to uncover the scientific and political drama behind Pluto's demotion and discover why redefining planets can spark curiosity and exploration in the next generation of scientists.
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Why isn't Pluto a planet anymore?
01:45 - Meet Dr. Alan Stern
02:40 - Why did the IAU vote to change the definition of a planet?
04:24 - The flawed process of the 2006 IAU vote
06:11 - A better definition of a planet (Geophysical Planetary Definition)
07:27 - The issues with the IAU definition
10:42 - How do planetary scientists define a planet?
12:00 - Moons can be planets, too
13:04 - There are way more than 8 or 9 planets
14:34 - Yes, Pluto is a planet
Other Resources:
🔗 Geophysical Planet Definition (Universities Space Research Association) https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2017/eposter/1448.pdf
🔗 Study by Dr. Philip Metzger on Planetary Definition in Scientific Literature researchgate.net/publication/355730140_Moons_Are_Planets_Scientific_Usefulness_Versus_Cultural_Teleology_in_the_Taxonomy_of_Planetary_Science
🔗 48th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference abstract on the Geophysical Planetary Definition https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2017/pdf/1448.pdf
🔗 Wikipedia Geophysical Planet Definition en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophysical_definition_of_planet
🔗 Dr. Alan Stern’s Website https://alanstern.space
🔗 Dr. Stern’s lecture on Planethood and Pluto youtube.com/watch?v=fvkauNOfKL4
🔗 Press release from the IAU in 2006 iau.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iau0603
🔗 Video of IAU 2006 Session 2, in which the debate and vote take place iau.org/public/videos/detail/iau2006session2
🔗 Images from the 2006 IAU iau.org/public/images/archive/category/general_assembly_2006
👨🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv
🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!
Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
Special Guest: Dr. Alan Stern https://alanstern.space
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates/)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Footage and Images: NASA, IAU
💻Equipment Used:
Sony 6500a
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion
