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Ask Dr. Universe: Is Pluto a planet again or not?

Dr-Universe-230PULLMAN, Wash. – It’s a big week for Pluto as NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft gets a close-up look at the distant, icy world. But first, the answer to your question: Pluto is not a planet.

Scientists called it a planet when it was discovered in 1930. They needed a name for it and an 11-year-old girl living in London at the time came up with “Pluto.” Things changed in 2006.

Learn more in the complete Dr. Universe column here.

 

A service of Washington State University, Ask Dr. Universe answers some of the most interesting, tough and smart questions from curious kids all around the world.

 

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WSU Spokane Medicine Building opens in August

The transformed building will be a central hub for the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and expand the educational capacity for WSU’s College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

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WSU Spokane Medicine Building opens in August

The transformed building will be a central hub for the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and expand the educational capacity for WSU’s College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

WSU graduate student Megan McLean earns educator grant

The mathematics and science education Ph.D. student will receive the Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award, which will help her improve programming for students at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane.

Karina Gallardo, Colette Casavant honored with 2023 DEI awards

Karina Gallardo and Colette Casavant are the 2023 recipients of the inaugural Faculty and Staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence Awards from WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

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