Re: Pluto loses status as a planet

Ed wrote:
And I did expect them, of all people, to honor the discovery that was
made 76 years ago.
Of course, Clyde Tombaugh wasn't a "Professional" astronomer and I
wonder if that had something to do with it?

I doubt it. I think most of them wanted very much to have some reason
to keep Pluto a planet, but it had to be a legitimate one. They would
rather do something that made them feel bad, than to do something that
they had no reason to do but to make them feel good. It is in that way
that I think they were honest.

I'm pretty sure Tombaugh went on to get a degree (master's?) in
astronomy, so he certainly does count as a professional amateur. I
think you misrepresent the vast majority of professional astronomers
when you characterize them as dismissive of amateurs.

Astronomy will probably always be the one science that a non-PhD can
make a discovery and who the heck cares what these Professionals do!

I do. I also care what amateurs do. I think it is foolish to hold a
grudge.

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Brian Tung <brian@xxxxxxx>
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