The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet - The Pluto Files

This is a first-rate example of how to write about science for a general audience. Its good-humored and fair account of the controversy over whether Pluto is a planet, a Trans-Neptunian object, a Kuiper body, or any or all of the above is gripping and fascinating. I cannot praise Neil deGrasse Tyson too highly. He has justified his claim to be the successor to the late, great Carl Sagan, who would have applauded THE PLUTO FILES.

Try convincing a friend that a book detailing astrophysics' recent paradigmatic shift is a fun read. It's not easy. And yet, The Pluto Files is not only educational, it's entertaining. As a key player in the great Pluto debate, Neil deGrasse Tyson holds both professional and personal interests in this topic. His love for all things cosmos and his sharp humor make the book thoroughly enjoyable. Some pages will even induce giggles. How many other astrophysicists can make us laugh?

The Pluto Files describes the discovery of Pluto, its place in pop culture, Americans' adoration for the tiniest planet, and the recent controversy surrounding its reclassification status. Researchers from every branch of science will empathize with the professional community's controversy. Scientific debate always seems to involve just as much emotion and politics as it does data. Nevertheless, The Pluto Files is really directed to laypeople who have no expertise in the field. Even if your knowledge of the solar system is limited to a high school science class or an occasional documentary, this delightful book is for you. Tyson is a great educator and writes in easy-to-understand language.

One of the most interesting phenomena described in this book is America's deep emotional attachment to an icy sphere. We are a nation of plutophiles. People who feel Pluto should continue to be considered the ninth planet in our solar system were outraged when it was downgraded to a dwarf planet. Some still are; hence the term "downgraded." The Pluto Files excerpts angry rebuttals written by journalists, bloggers, lawmakers, songwriters, cartoonists, and schoolchildren. The kids' letters are great! One can only hope that these smart and passionate children continue to make their voices heard in adulthood.

Don't overlook the Appendix section. There's some funny stuff back there.

A good, short history of Pluto from its discovery, it's designation as a planet, through the eventual demotion it got to being a dwarf planet. This story is told through the eyes of Neil DeGrasse Tyson who lived the experience and has the letter and email history to show for it. Dr. Tyson does a godd job showing both sides of the story and explaining the eventual outcome. A quick, fun read.

Pluto was discovered in 1930 and named after the Roman god of the underworld; that same year, Disney created a cartoon pup of the same name. Pluto also found space in the Periodic Table (#94 - plutonoium), along with #92 uranium and #93 neptunium. The notion of dropping Pluto from the list of planets has created a media firestorm since it was first proposed in 2000 that continues to this day - some even thought it a publicity ploy to boost attendance at the author's Hayden Planetarium museum. However, in 2006, the International Astronomical Union officially downgraded Pluto from "planet" to "dwarf planet," taking some of the pressure off the author, Dr. Tyson.

Problems with considering Pluto a planet include the fact that there are seven moons measure larger than Pluto (Earth's, four of Jupiter's, and one each belonging to Saturn and Neptune), it is the only planet to cross the orbit of another planet (Neptune), it has less than 5% the mass of Mercury - the next smallest planet, and its largest moon (Charon) is so large vs. Pluto that they orbit a spot not within Pluto, but in free space.

Pluto's average high temperature is -365 degrees F., is only twice the size of Ceres (largest known asteroid), and 50X the size of the largest comet. The planet consists of about 70% rock and 30% ice; however, given that ice is much lighter than rock, about 55% of its volume is ice.

The biggest problem with labeling Pluto a planet is that beginning in 1992, scientists began finding additional objects orbiting the Sun beyond Neptune. Astronomers believed that hundreds, maybe thousands more would be found, and that it was inevitable that one would be larger than Pluto. In 2005, Eris, 27% larger than Pluto was found in that same area, since named the Kuiper belt.

Dr. Tyson maintains a light-hearted approach throughout the book, even including an sincere, but funny and apologetic letter from a 7-year-old formerly angry about Tyson's position vs. Pluto the ex-planet. Numerous humerous cartoons on the subject are also included.

Noted astrophysicist and Hayden Planetarium director Tyson gives a fascinating and humorous account of America's love affair with Pluto. Using illustrations to entertain and to educate, the book provides an enticing mixture of scientific fact and funny anecdotes.

Learn about the history of Pluto, when it became a planet (and how that coincided with a famous Disney dog), and when Pluto (the planet) was demoted.

Once again, Dr. Tyson engages our minds with a timely topic much grander than our own existence. My [...] science students have been enraptured by this fiery debate. Dr. Tyson is a wonderful "EXPLAINER" who makes science come alive for those with little or no formal education in the field. His writing style is identical to his witty dramatic live lectures. Highly recommended!!
Dr. Tyson... I hope you know how much the younger Americans NEED you to continue your work. Your enthusiasm for science is contagious and that is just what Young America needs to take the reins of scientific research in today's ever-changing world. You are needed and LOVED!!

Mrs. Scarola
Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School
Pembroke Pines, Florida

P.S. My students REALLY want you to come visit us. There's NO SNOW here in SE Florida!

This is such an excellent book! It is both informative and hilarious; Tyson definitely is as funny in the written form as he is during his interviews. I didn't expect this book to be funny at all and thought it might be perhaps a bit dry given the subject matter, but it was anything but. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even those who have no interest in astronomy or science; it really will make you laugh and you'll learn a little bit about our solar system too.

I am a very big fan of Neil Degrasse Tyson, and I was very excited to read this book. This book however, was probably my least favorite of Neil's work. While it is an interesting subject; most of the real content could have been reduced to a small essay. I read this book in one sitting while waiting to get my oil changed. I would suggest other people read this for free at the library. This book is definitely worth a read, but is not worth purchasing.

Fun to read. A bit factually heavy in some parts buts it's necessary to prove the point. This book is about Mr. tyson's struggle with people that are unwilling to accept that Pluto is no longer a planet. He presents angry letters from disgruntled people, facts on why Pluto is no longer a planet and answers the question of why some are just unwilling to accept the facts. Pluto is not a planet and rejecting that goes against the very reason of space exploration: to understanding how the universe really is, not how we'd like it to be.

This book, as the title suggests, is only about Pluto and its status change from a planet to a dwarf planet. I expected more of physics and astronomy as the other books from Tyson, but this one is very specific. There is also a lot of personal emotion from the author in the book.

First a disclaimer -- the lyrics to my song "Planet X" are included in this book, but I let them use the lyrics for free and I don't benefit financially in any way. But even if my lyrics weren't here, I'd tell you this is a funny AND educational book. The letters from little kids chastising Dr. Tyson for demoting Pluto are hilarious. The cartoons from around the world show just how plugged in the whole planet has been to this planetary status dilemma. If you are interested in space, you'll find this book fascinating. If you're not interested in space, this book will change that!

A contemporary topic, Pluto's planetary reclassification calamity has been both an emotional and a scientific issue ever since the N.Y. Times revealed that the Rose Center (Hayden Planetarium) had left Pluto out of the planetary lineup. Dr. Tyson has been in the thick of it even before the story broke. His account of the events and colorful comments that ensued is enjoyably portrayed throughout the book. As in his other books, his effervescent writing style makes this book an easy read even though he includes a lot of names and facts pertinent to the history if Pluto and its new status. It is a short 160 page book filled with many color images and illustrations, which allowed me to read it in only one day. Many, if not most, of the images are quite humorous adding to the enjoyment. Young and old will enjoy will enjoy this book!

Regarding the ongoing, though likely diminishing, debate about Pluto's status, I liked his statement, "You're having an argument over something you generate rather than what is fundamental to the universe." Science is about organization of objective discoveries, and subjective views should always play a subordinate roll. This includes those warm fuzzies we feel for certain traditional views, including Pluto's prior rank as planet. Science is not about a consensus of our feelings, but whether or not quality science is being conducted. Dr. Tyson presents the objective evidence of both sides fairly, and gives lucid reasoning for his position, which I suspect most scientifically-minded folks will eventually concur with his views.

Neil Tyson is a national treasure.

This book is so typical of him, making the complex so easy to understand. I knew nothing about KBOs and dwarf planets until I read this book. After I read the book, I was so intrigued I went on to do further research about them and TNOs.

Tyson has such intelligence and passion for his subject and trade. I wish he'd been my astronomy professor in college. I would have done better than "C's".

Is Pluto a planet? - it depends on which definition of a planet you agree with...

We scientists love to argue and we try to establish definitions of each part of the system so we are at least arguing about oranges rather than oranges and apples. In the case of Pluto (and other planetary bodies outside of Pluto's orbit) there are conflicting definitions of what exactly is a planet.

I'm sure Dr. Tyson means well but he writes a lot of books that reach out to the general public. Which is good, as it is often difficult to transfer good science to the masses without getting bogged down in scientific jargon. In these ventures, scientists like Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking come to mind.

Unfortunately, Dr. Tyson only voices his opinion as an astrophysicist, incorporating the 2006 International Astronomical Union (IAU) definition of a planet. And his book was published in 2009, so maybe he did not have access to the references I have summarized below. In the world of planetary science, there is a distinction in how astronomers/astrophysicists and planetary geologists define what is a planet, as well other terminology that is specific to planetary bodies and not necessarily to the universe as a whole. Not unlike the differences between astrologers and Aristotle in the "olden days".

On to the specific differences of defining what is a planet:

Astronomer/Astrophysicist viewpoint - In 2006 the IAU redefined the definition of a planet. The IAU's 2006 definition excludes Pluto (as well as several other planet-sized bodies outside of Pluto's orbit) as a planet because, while these bodies are large, basically spherical in shape, and orbit the Sun, these relatively large bodies have not cleared their orbits (i.e., swept up other debris in their radius of influence).

Planetary geologists viewpoint - Planetary bodies that are large, basically spherical in shape, and orbit the Sun should be considered as planets. And these large bodies should be grouped into 3 components of the Solar System - the inner terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars); the gas giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune); and the icy dwarf planets outside the orbit of Neptune (Pluto, Ceres, Eris, and maybe Quaoar). This viewpoint was published in 2007 in the "Encyclopedia of the Solar System" and in the March 28, 2008 AAAS journal "Science". The icy dwarf planet component is described in significant detail in a 2008 University of Arizona Press text entitled "The Solar System Beyond Neptune".

As a planetary geologist, I would like to see the public-oriented text that describes the "New" Solar System that contains as many as 12 planets.

In addition, the 2006 IAU definition of a planet has recently been criticized as "...narrowly constructed, technically flawed, poorly worded,...and at odds with other classification schemes in astronomy...". Additional assessment of the definition of a planet is currently being studied by astronomers and planetary scientists. So maybe in the very near future, Pluto can rejoin the family. I am sure Clyde Tombaugh's family will enjoy that day, as well as numerous families and their children. This is just part of one chapter on how science progresses.

So the readers of this review will have to decide on their own. Personally, I think we now know more about the Solar System than we did just 5 years ago - we have better telescopes, better analytical methods, and a better understanding of the physics of our Solar System. While we were taught in school that there were 9 planets, I believe there may be as many as 12 planets in our Solar System, not 8.

As was so eloquently stated on a T-shirt, "Pluto - Gone, But Not Forgotten".

Jim Jensen, Planetary Geologist

Since I bought this book primarily to be entertained and secondarily to learn about space, the book was a bit of a disappointment to me. I wasn't expecting laugh out loud funny, but I was expecting an occasional chuckle. Maybe it's insider baseball and funny to other scientists, but Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson isn't much able to mine what should be a fairly rich field of the idiosyncracies of scientists and make them fun to the masses.

As a "textbook" it's another story. The photos and graphs are very eye-catching, and the slick paper gives it great "gift appeal." For someone with moderate astronomical aptitude, or for most any kid, it's probably not a bad gift idea at all. If on the other hand you love to read but don't have much time and like to make every book count, this is certainly one you can pass on.

Neil Degrasse Tyson takes on a hotly-debated question in the book: What is the staus of Pluto? Officially, the International Astronomical Union downgraded the planet to "dwarf planet" status during a conference in 2006. Tyson, a giften astronomer and communicator, takes on the highly charged discussion, which has continued in both astronomical circles and in the general public.

No matter how you feel about Pluto, you have to admire Tyson's research, and collection of pro and con statements, papers, children's letters and drawings, talk show comments and even cartoons. One of the best cartoons in the book shows a man looking at an image of Pluto on his TV and saying to his wife "Look who theyre trying to vote off'Dancing with the Stars."

He delves into the history of Pluto, including astronomers'search for "Planet X" which was inaccurately thought to be pulling on Neptune. Nevertheless, after many bone-chilling nights of searching for such a planet, 24-year-old astronomer Clyde Tombaugh found Pluto in 1930. After lots of double checking, Pluto was welcomed as a planet.

Then more recently, astronomers have been finding quite a few bodies out past Pluto, some of which seem to be larger than Pluto. The book covers this history in a clear and well-researched manner.

But it also reports how the Hayden Planetarium in New York, which Tyson heads, made the decision to downgrade Pluto from planet to a Kuiper Belt object back in 2000, during development of the new Rose Center and planetarium for Earth and Space, well before the IAU downgrade. He explains the staff's careful reasoning with four gas giants coming ahead of Pluto, and then where to put it

He shows objectivity in presenting both sides of the decision, although later he was asked how he would treat Pluto if it was 10 times its size: "I think if it were still ice, we'dl still say, orbiting with the icy objects."

The book concludes with some attention to the fact that astronomers are finding more bodies in the solar system and beyond, and how to classify all of them. (and maybe change classifications)
So read the book and see what you think. I am many years past being one of the students who have written Tyson in opposition to his planetarium downgrading Pluto. And I'll keep reading, and waiting for results from the New Horizons craft due to pass by Pluto in 2015.
But for now, I'd still like to be like Clyde Tombaugh, and cheer at that small planet churning through the frozen edge of the solar system.
Earl

I rate the hardback book with 5 stars, but the kindle edition with only 2 stars because of the missing cartoons, photos, charts and graphics. The essay is still well worth reading, but you will miss a lot if you don't have the graphics. I ended up going to my local bookstore and purchasing the hardback when I realized that the Kindle edition had left out the 35 color illustrations and 10 black and white illustrations. I know that Kindle doesn't show color, but the color illustrations could have been reproduced in gray scale.

It is a great book, but a mediocre kindle edition.