Pluto Debate *Stella*

Many people think that Pluto shouldn't be a planet. I think that it is only fair to bring into the light the facts, and examine them for ourselves. Many people are doing this, and it is resulting in one big debate. I have decided to go on the side of those who believe that Pluto should be a planet. I will now present my points.
Size-
Many people think Pluto shouldn't be a planet because of its size. After all, it is smaller than some of the other planet's moons. Mercury is smaller than Jupiter's moon-Ganymede. There is no debate about Mercury. So its being smaller than another planets' moon can't be used against it.

Orbit-
Pluto is the only planet that comes inside of another planet's orbit. But, crashing in to a comet could've easily changed its orbit. In fact, Mercury's orbit isn't too much different than Pluto's orbit. Some people could argue that Pluto's orbit looks like that of a comet's orbit, but given these facts, Pluto's orbit still looks much more like that of a planet. A crash with another large object could have made Pluto's orbit slanted. Pluto could have had an orbit much like the other planets a long time ago.

Pluto's Moon-
Many people use Pluto's moon as being evidence against it being a planet. Charon is bigger than Pluto. However, Charon could have gotten pulled into Pluto, just as Triton was pulled into Neptune. In 2005, two other smaller satellites were found orbiting Pluto, Nix and Hydra.

Misfit-
Misfit. This is the term people have generously given to Pluto. The other planets are gas giants. Well, there is no reason for us to say that all of the planets past the asteroid belt should be gas giants. It makes sense that the planets in the coldest part of the solar system should have planets made of ice and rock. Pluto is also past the Kuiper Belt. There could be another group of planets past the Kuiper Belt.

Comet-
Some people say that Pluto could be a comet. Well, the comets that we know make lots of changes.They form comas and burn off material. Pluto doesn't have changes like that. Another argument is that comets have changes like that because they come near the sun. Pluto doesn't come near the Sun. Well, the comet-like objects that don't come near the sun are in the Kuiper Belt. Pluto is not in the Kuiper Belt.

What is a Planet?
People call a planet a-large body that orbits the Sun. What does large mean? Comets and other large objects in space could even be called planets.

Kuiper Belt Object-
Another point is that some say Pluto could be a Kuiper Belt object. Pluto is bigger than the other Kuiper Belt objects. Pluto is also not located in the Kuiper Belt, so this puts a stop to this argument.

So, we have brought the facts in. It is time for us to make a decision. My conclusion- Pluto is a planet. Now, think about all the facts and make your conclusion. Pluto is a planet to me, and to many other astronomers. To some Pluto is the new term of dwarf planet. Which one is the right answer? I guess the debate will have to go on, but let everyone decide for themselves, what do you think?