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Genre/Form: | Nonfiction |
---|---|
Material Type: | Internet resource |
Document Type: | Book, Internet Resource |
All Authors / Contributors: |
Neil deGrasse Tyson |
ISBN: | 0393065200 9780393065206 0393337324 9780393337327 9780393350364 0393350363 |
OCLC Number: | 154706867 |
Description: | xii, 194 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 22 cm |
Contents: | Pluto in culture -- Pluto in history -- Pluto in science -- Pluto's fall from grace -- Pluto divides the nation -- Pluto's judgment day -- Pluto the dwarf planet -- Pluto in the elementary school classroom -- Plutologue -- Appendix A: Pluto data (2008) -- Appendix B: Planet X (complete lyrics by Christine Lavin) -- Appendix C: I'm your moon (complete lyrics by Jonathan Coulton) -- Appendix D: Pluto's not a planet anymore (complete lyrics by Jeff Mondak and Alex Stangl) -- Appendix E: Official media response from the author regarding the Rose Center's exhibit treatment of Pluto -- Appendix F: Resolution of the International Astronomical Union on the definition of a planet -- Appendix G: New Mexico legislation relative to Pluto's planetary status -- Appendix H: California legislation relative to Pluto's planetary status. |
Other Titles: | Rise and fall of America's favorite planet Rise & fall of America's favorite planet |
Responsibility: | Neil deGrasse Tyson. |
More information: |
Abstract:
Reviews
Publisher Synopsis
"An eclectic delight. Readers will laugh at the collection of song lyrics and cartoons inspired by the great Pluto-versy. . . . Smile at the photocopied letters from elementary-school children." -- Fred Burtz - Seattle Times "For young and old alike... a riveting book that makes you really care about Pluto." -- Sacramento Book Review Read more...
WorldCat User Reviews (2)
The Demotion of Pluto
Tyson is the director of the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium and the author of several popular astronomy books (e.g., Death by Black Hole). In 2000, the planetarium opened a new solar system exhibit that presented Pluto not as a planet...
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Tyson is the director of the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium and the author of several popular astronomy books (e.g., Death by Black Hole). In 2000, the planetarium opened a new solar system exhibit that presented Pluto not as a planet but an object in the Kuiper Belt, a ring of icy bodies in the outer solar system. This new classification went largely unnoticed until a critical New York Times article appeared a year later. The ensuing controversy and the discovery of several other Pluto-like objects in the Kuiper Belt led astronomers to redefine what constitutes a planet. This book is Tyson's personal account of the exhibit controversy and of Pluto's 2006 demotion from planet to dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union. Many who grew up learning that Pluto was a planet resisted the reclassification, and the discussion divided scientists and nonscientists alike. Tyson documents Pluto's fall with editorial cartoons, letters from schoolchildren, song lyrics, and dialog among disagreeing scientists. He also expertly relates the history and science of Pluto and its discovery.
- 5 of 6 people found this review helpful. Did it help you?
Catfights in Space!
If you're afraid of a dry science-y book, put your fears aside. The Pluto Files is a glimpse behind the scenes of museums and other scientific institutions and how they deal with the public and the changing status of their chosen field. There's just enough straight science described so the reader...
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If you're afraid of a dry science-y book, put your fears aside. The Pluto Files is a glimpse behind the scenes of museums and other scientific institutions and how they deal with the public and the changing status of their chosen field. There's just enough straight science described so the reader can familiarize themselves with the topic. Nothing that can be handled by a high school student.
Dr. Tyson found himself, unintentionally, in the middle of the controversy over the continuing planethood of far away Pluto. While I think he is a bit biased about the actual popularity of tiny, icy rock, the machinations of his fellow scientists are what really make this book worth reading. "All My Children" has nothing on feuding astrophysicists!
- 3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Did it help you?


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- colbert report (by 1 person)
- dwarf planets (by 1 person)
- kuiper belt (by 1 person)
- pluto (by 1 person)
- pluto (dwarf planet) (by 1 person)
- 1 items are tagged withas seen on the daily show with jon stewart
- 1 items are tagged withcolbert report
- 1 items are tagged withdwarf planets
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