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Pluto might still be a planet . . . over New Mexico
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SANTA FE — Pluto-traditionalists rejoice.
The downgraded dot in the sky has regained its status as our solar system's ninth planet. Or at least it is when it's hovering over New Mexico.
That's the gist of a nonbinding measure approved by House members this week. Rep. Joni Gutierrez introduced it, and for good reason, she says: The Las Cruces Democrat grew up two blocks from the astronomer who discovered the dwarf planet, or, um, planet, if there's any chance it's above us right now.
"The Tombaughs lived two streets over, and they had this humongous telescope in their backyard," Gutierrez said, referring to Clyde and Patsy Tombaugh. "We were always infatuated with that and with Pluto."
Clyde Tombaugh identified the frozen rock in 1930. He went on to become a renowned astronomer at New Mexico State University.
Last fall, Pluto suffered a blow when 2,500 scientists in the International Astronomical Union voted that the little guy was something of a slacker and didn't dominate his orbit the way the other planets do. Thus, the downgrade to a dwarf planet.
"We really took it as an affront," Gutierrez said.
So she introduced a measure to recognize Pluto as a full-fledged planet when it passes over New Mexico.
The House on Tuesday passed the measure; it's pending in the Senate.
No word yet on whether legislators will also require New Mexico schoolchildren to list all nine planets when taking tests on those days when Pluto floats by.
