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TEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL WROTE TO THE SPACE AGENCY With a Serious Request
A ten-year-old girl sent a letter to NASA.
TL;DR
- A ten-year-old girl, Kaela Polkinghorn, wrote to NASA to ask them to reclassify Pluto as a planet.
- Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) because it does not meet the criterion of gravitationally dominating its orbit.
- NASA administrator Jared Isakman responded to Kaela's letter, stating, "Kaela, we are looking into this."
- Some scientists, like planetary physicist Philip Metzger, believe Pluto could be considered a planet due to its complex geology and active surface.
- Kaela was inspired by Pluto's appearance, particularly a heart-shaped region on its surface, and dreams of becoming an astronaut to visit it.