Pluto was demoted from a planet in 2006 according to the definition of a planet set by the International Astronomical Union, after discussion and voting from astronomers and planetary scientists from all over the world. However, the controversy of this move is far from over. FSI’s Philip Metzger is challenging the reclassification, with a literature review of the asteroid classification from 1801 to the present. This research, published in Icarus, generated the most web traffic and media success for UCF this year. Among its findings, the authors recommend building consensus around planetary taxonomy that rely on scientific literature and discourse. There’s hope for Pluto. For more of UCF’s top research findings of 2018, visit UCF Today.
