What's a Planet, Anyway? (broadcast Friday, March 28th, 2008)

Pluto and its companion Charon. Dr. R. Albrecht, ESA/ESO Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility; NA

In 2006, astronomers voted to remove Pluto from the list of planets in our solar system -- but the controversy over just what should be called a planet lives on. This week, writing in a commentary in the journal Science, planetary scientist Mark Sykes argues that a planet should be defined simply as 'a round object orbiting a star.' We'll talk with him about why that should be, and whether the definition of planet really matters. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.