What’s next?

Pluto not a real planet? Yikes, what’s the world coming to? How cruel the news that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) demoted Pluto to a “dwarf.” Just because the puny planet is little more than an ice ball with a weird orbit doesn’t mean that it had to be so unceremoniously dumped. Worse, when renowned astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell made the announcement at the IAU conference, she was holding a stuffed Pluto dog. Ouch! Let’s add insult to injury.

Everything went haywire for Pluto when a bunch of “dwarf planets” with similar qualities were discovered. Rather than let the wannabes become planets, the “small objects” were downgraded, taking our beloved Pluto with them. You’d think a large gathering of brilliant scientists could come up with a better name than “dwarf.” Why not be kind? Perhaps the designation of small, mini, tiny, junior or little planet could have been considered. But “dwarf planet?”

Actually, I suppose this was a great day for science. It’s one of those pivotal moments when what we thought was true turns out to be false. Teachers everywhere love this kind of news because it reveals that science is not a bunch of permanent facts but an ever‑changing body of evidence that reflects our knowledge at any given time. In other words, we’re still trying to figure out this universe.

Medicine is a grand example of how “facts” keep changing. Every year there is a new idea on how we’re supposed to stay healthy. Cut out fat. No, it’s carbohydrates that are evil. Or is it trans fats that clog our arteries? Hormonal therapy for women is good. Well, maybe not. Caffeine is really bad, unless it’s in a cup of Starbucks. Heck, Pluto ought to be pretty glad that it lasted as a planet for about 76 years, because that’s a long time to remain undisputed.

There’s an old saying that the only thing constant in this world is change. Perhaps that’s essential to become a progressive, forward‑thinking person, but I actually like certain “facts” to remain untouched by today’s new research standards. Some aspects of our world are like anchors in our hectic lives. We were raised with a certain constellation in the sky and maybe we like the way our stars have been lining up. It seems a bit harsh to kick Pluto out of the solar system. The truth is, Pluto has never changed – but we have.

Evidently, hundreds of “Pluto Parties” have sprung up all over the world to send a farewell to the “dwarf” we came to love. Perhaps a breakthrough for science can translate to one more reason to pop open the champagne.

Drink up, Dear Readers, the world is spinning rapidly and the facts are unraveling too quickly for us not to revel in this moment. After all, what’s next?