Pluto Day
February 18 is National Pluto Day, and on this day we honor the discovery of Pluto and raise awareness about our solar system.
On this day in 1940, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh officially discovered Pluto at the Lowell Observatory based in Arizona.
Even though Pluto has been demoted to a dwarf planet now, space lovers across the world love it just the same.
Since it is just a commemorative day, businesses and schools work as usual.
The Story Behind This Day
After the International Astronomical Union changed its definition of a planet in 2006, Pluto was categorized as a dwarf planet.
This decision was met with a lot of arguments, as till then, everyone knew there were nine planets in the solar system.
Even with the demotion, interest in Pluto kept increasing.
As a result, space missions like NASA's New Horizons flew by Pluto and provided new scientific data and very detailed images in 2015.
As time passed, February 18 came to be known as National Pluto Day to mark its discovery and celebrate the ongoing studies and research.
Observing National Pluto Day
You can observe National Pluto Day by expressing your love for this planet in your own way.
You can learn more about Pluto and share your knowledge with the world on social media.
Many educational and science institutions also contribute to this day by hosting dedicated events or workshops.
Watch documentaries, keep an eye on NASA’s page or other space organizations for updates, and visit a planetarium or museum to honor this day.
National Pluto Day reminds us that science is always evolving. Even though Pluto’s classification has changed, its importance in astronomy and popular culture remains strong.
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