---
title: "Why is Pluto not considered a planet?"  
description: "Facts about Pluto and the reason behind why it is not a planet anymore"  
author: "Anjita D."  
published: 2023-09-15  
canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/2494/why-is-pluto-not-considered-a-planet  
category: "education"  
tags: ["facts", "general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Why is Pluto not considered a planet?

![Why is Pluto not considered a planet](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/55215f17-c05e-4ed3-95c8-a16ebbaaaf7d/images/9386c0d2-22c3-45ee-896c-0adc74d5565b.jpeg) ![Why is Pluto not considered a planet](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/55215f17-c05e-4ed3-95c8-a16ebbaaaf7d/images/9386c0d2-22c3-45ee-896c-0adc74d5565b.jpeg) Pluto is not considered a planet because it does not meet all of the three criteria that the International Astronomical Union (IAU): ![Why is Pluto not considered a planet](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/55215f17-c05e-4ed3-95c8-a16ebbaaaf7d/images/cc87da72-5376-4bcd-99f7-c4f44454c1cd.jpeg) 1. It is in orbit around the Sun. ![Why is Pluto not considered a planet](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/55215f17-c05e-4ed3-95c8-a16ebbaaaf7d/images/937ac7a1-3070-4d68-a8c4-af8e1606227f.jpeg) 2. Due to its sufficient mass, it can overcome rigid body forces and achieve a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape. ![Why is Pluto not considered a planet](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/55215f17-c05e-4ed3-95c8-a16ebbaaaf7d/images/167d57b0-9577-4e9f-8283-5b4f017f07f1.jpeg) 3. It has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit. ![Why is Pluto not considered a planet](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/55215f17-c05e-4ed3-95c8-a16ebbaaaf7d/images/167d57b0-9577-4e9f-8283-5b4f017f07f1.jpeg) Pluto and many other objects in the solar system are now classified as dwarf planets.

---

Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/2494/why-is-pluto-not-considered-a-planet

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