I changed my topic for my research paper from presidential races to the debate on why pluto should or should not be a planet. I decided to write my paper on something a bit out of the ordinary from what seems like most papers are being written on. I believe that the debate on pluto’s planetary status is counterintuitive because they are so many conflicting arguments that seemingly argue the same points. I will further explain my ideas throughout the research paper requirements.

1. Nine Reasons Pluto Is A Planet Metzger, Phil. “Nine Reasons Why Pluto Is a Planet.” Philipmetzger.com. Phil Metzger, 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.

I am going to use this article and select a few of the reasons that the author of the blog believes that Pluto should be considered a planet. This article talks about what Pluto is and not on what it does, which provides a valuable counter argument against naysayer’s for Pluto’s planetary status.

2.8 Reasons Pluto Should Totally Have Planet Status “8 Reasons Pluto Should Totally Have Planet Status.” CNET. N.p., 16 July 2015. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

This article comments about what Pluto contains and the features it has. Also included on this page, is the fact that very few members of the IAU voted against Pluto being a planet, which is an interesting thought since Pluto was named a dwarf planet back in 2006.

3. What Is A Planet?  Peterson, Carolyn Collins. “What Is a Planet?” About.com Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

It is very hard for an average person without much astrological knowledge to give a definition to the term planet, but this article does an excellent job in providing that definition and how Pluto fits well into that definition.

4. Facts About Pluto Choi, Charles Q. “Pluto: Facts & Information About the Dwarf Planet Pluto.”Space.com. N.p., 22 July 2015. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

The point in this article that I am going to use as a counterintuitive argument is that Pluto’s surface is claimed to be “not that old”. Based on the definition of counterintuitive, the statements made in this article provide insight to the common mistakes made by the assumption of astrological facts.

5. Should Pluto Be A Planet? Baker, Debbi. “Should Pluto Be a Planet? Astronomers Still Debating.” The San Diego Union-Tribune. N.p., 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

This post made me consider how big of a deal Pluto’s status actually is to people. Searching the web, there is a plethora of articles debating whether or not Pluto is a planet, but no action is being taken to bring Pluto back as a planet, even though celebrations were had before an official statement has been declared.

6. Why Pluto Is Not A Planet “Why Pluto Isn’t a Planet Anymore… Get over It.” Astrobioloblog. N.p., 12 Mar. 2011. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

This Astrobioloblog states that Pluto is not a planet bluntly, providing information that Pluto does not revolve around the Sun, but is primarily a part of the Kuiper Belt.

7. Why Pluto Shouldn’t Be A Planet Howe, Alex R. “Why Pluto Really Shouldn’t Be a Planet.” Science Meets Fiction. N.p., 01 Aug. 2015. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

This article brings upon the point that an object must “clear its neighborhood” in order to be considered a planet. Since Pluto is considered a part of the Kuiper Belt, that is enough of a reason apparently to the IAU that Pluto should not be considered a planet.

8. Pluto Should Not Be Renamed A Planet Wisniewski, Jamie. “Pluto Shouldn’t Be Renamed a Planet Just Because of Nasa’s Flyby.” Electronic Component News. N.p., 17 July 2015. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

In this article, the author makes a very powerful statement saying that if Pluto is added as a planet again, then there should be tons more floating space objects added that share Pluto’s qualities.

9. Why Pluto Is No Longer A Planet Cain, Fraser. “Why Pluto Is No Longer a Planet.” Universe Today. N.p., 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

Eris, which was found in 2003 and later renamed as such, contains 25% more mass than Pluto, which is the main reason for Pluto’s demotion to dwarf planet. But if there is nothing bigger than these two bodies, how come we do not have 10 planets instead of 8? If these bodies fill the description of a planet, then they should be promoted to the said category.

10.Why Is Pluto No Longer A Planet? Rincon, Paul. “Why Is Pluto No Longer a Planet?” BBC News. N.p., 13 July 2015. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

An interesting fact about Pluto’s demotion is made at the end of this BBC article, which states that only 10% of the scientists involved in the Pluto discussion actually showed up for the vote. It is quite puzzling how such a small number of qualified scientists could make a decision for the whole population of scientists that attended the event before the vote.