CWU PROF. PROFESSES, DON'T PITY PLUTO

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Discovered in 1930, Pluto was the smallest and most remote planet in our solar system for 76 years. Until now. Last week, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) rescinded Pluto's standing with a new definition of what is - and what isn't - considered a planet.

With a highly elliptical orbit, and at a size one-third smaller than the Moon, scientists have always questioned Pluto's planetary status. Some thought that Pluto may be a large asteroid or comet, or a moon of Neptune that escaped.

"The so-called 'downgrading' of Pluto shows that science progresses and is not limited by tradition," says Dr. Bruce Palmquist, Central Washington University physics and science education professor.

Palmquist goes on to say, as additional information has been discovered about Pluto and its region of the solar system, it became less similar to the other eight "classical" planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune - so a reclassification was appropriate.

At its 26th General Assembly of IAU in Prague, Czech Republic, participating astronomers from 75 countries, determined that Pluto should be placed into a new "dwarf planet" classification.

"I don't see it as a downgrade to go from planet to dwarf planet," Palmquist notes. "People keep talking about Pluto being 'downgraded,' but what about Ceres being 'upgraded'? Ceres has gone from being a plain old asteroid to being a dwarf planet. If we must talk about downgrades and upgrades, let's focus on the positive and celebrate the upgrade of Ceres."

Ceres, the largest asteroid and was the first to be discovered, orbits between Mars and Jupiter.

Palmquist, the 2005 Washington state Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, is very familiar with the stars and planets. He serves as a mentor to members of the CWU student astronomy club and facilitates public stargazing events at the university's Lind Hall telescope.

In addition, Palmquist is well known for his "Bubble Planetarium" presentations, during which he teaches community members, most often school children, about astronomy.