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The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference

by Alan Boyle

The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

In support of Pluto — the cutest and most unfairly treated planet

Pity poor Pluto: It's a planet that was discovered because of a mistake, a planet that turned out not to be a planet at all, thanks to a still-disputed decision made in 2006. And yet, Pluto is the planet best-loved by Americans, especially children, one that may have contained the building blocks of life billions of years ago and may well serve as life's last redoubt billions of years from now.

In The Case for Pluto, award-winning science writer Alan Boyle traces the tiny planet's ups and downs, its strange appeal, the reasons behind its demotion, and the reasons why it should be set back in the planetary pantheon.

*Tells the compelling story of Pluto's discovery and how it became a cultural icon
*Makes the case for Pluto as planet, countering the books that argue against it
*Comes in a small, friendly package — just like Pluto — and features a handsome design, making it a great gift

The Case for Pluto is the must-read tale of a cosmic underdog that has captured the hearts of millions: an endearing little planet that is changing the way we see the universe beyond our backyard.

Review:

"When the International Astronomical Union voted in 2006 to evict Pluto from the roster of planets in our solar system, little did they expect the public outcry that would arise. Boyle, an award-winning science writer and the science editor at MSNBC.com, presents the issues regarding Pluto's status, both popular and scientific, in a winning fashion. After its discovery in 1930, the icy rock formerly known as Planet X was embraced by the public imagination, partly due to its status as 'the oddball of the solar system;' no doubt having Walt Disney name a cartoon dog after it also helped. But as astronomers learned more about the solar system and the distant Kuiper Belt at its fringes, they realized that Pluto, with its lopsided spin and strangely tilted orbit was very special indeed. Now astronomers have identified at least five dwarf planets, or 'mini-worlds,' orbiting our Sun. When the New Horizons spacecraft reaches Pluto in 2015, we'll know more about this 'underdog of the solar system.' Even then, the furor is bound to continue. Photos." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"All the intrigue and passion of a political scandal." K.C. Cole, author of Something Incredibly Wonderful Happens

Review:

"An engrossing voyage of discovery about not only Pluto, but about the very process of scientific discovery." Alan Boss, author of The Crowded Universe

Review:

"A must-read for any fan of astronomy!" Alan Stern, author of Pluto and Charon

Book News Annotation:

Boyle, the science writer for msnbc.com, has written a charming and informative book that requires no science background. The International Astronomical Union's decision to downgrade Pluto's status from a planet is the book's jumping-off point, from which Boyle backtracks to relate the history of Pluto's discovery and naming, the discovery of its moon, its scientific features, and all the developments of its scientific study, including developments in the technology of telescopes and space missions. The personal element of the story adds spice to the narrative, with astronomers arguing over Pluto's identity and the public weighing in with their own personal attachment to Pluto as a planet. The book concludes with an appendix on what to tell your kids about planets. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Synopsis:

The Case For Pluto: How A Little Planet Made a Big Difference, written by award-winning science writer Alan Boyle, traces the tiny planet's ups and downs, how it became a cultural phenomenon, and why it should still be considered a planet. Along the way, readers will discover the people behind the Plutonian intrigues, the oddities of dwarf planets and worlds beyond our solar system, and the renewed search for a potentially dangerous "Planet X."

About the Author

Alan Boyle is MSNBC.com's science editor and the award-winning blogger behind Cosmic Log. He's been a talking head on NBC's The Today Show and the MSNBC cable channel, holding forth on scientific subjects ranging from the chances of an asteroid Armageddon to the 3-D wizardry behind the Harry Potter movies.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments.

1 The Planet in the Cornfield.

2 Fellow Wanderers.

3 The Search for Planet X.

4 Pluto and Its Little Pals.

5 The Meaning of a Moon.

6 There Goes the Neighborhood.

7 Not Yet Explored.

8 Betting on the Tenth Planet.

9 The Battle of Prague.

10 The Lighter Side of Pluto.

1 1 The Great Planet Debate.

12 The Day of the Dwarfs.

13 Planet X Redux.

14 Alien Plutos.

15 The Case for Pluto.

Appendix A. What to Tell Your Kids about Planets.

Appendix B. The International Astronomical Union's Resolutions and Revisions.

Appendix C. Planetary Vital Statistics.

Notes.

Selected Bibliography.

Credits.

Index.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780470505441
Subtitle:
How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference
Author:
Boyle, Alan
Publisher:
Wiley
Subject:
Solar system
Subject:
Pluto (Dwarf planet)
Subject:
Astronomy - General
Subject:
Astronomy - Solar System
Subject:
Astronomy
Subject:
Astronomy | Astrophysics
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto histor
Subject:
y, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I killed pluto
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Astronomy & Astrop
Subject:
hysics
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Subject:
Pluto, planet Pluto, is Pluto a planet, Pluto the planet Pluto facts, Pluto history, Pluto mythology, Pluto moon, Pluto moons, Pluto and charon, charon, planet, planets, the planets, astronomy, space, solar system, dave sobel, kc coles, mike brown, how I
Copyright:
Publication Date:
20091022
Binding:
Electronic book text in proprietary or open standard format
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
208
Dimensions:
7.34x5.30x.93 in. .77 lbs.

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The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference Sale Hardcover
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$9.98 In Stock
Product details 208 pages John Wiley & Sons - English 9780470505441 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "When the International Astronomical Union voted in 2006 to evict Pluto from the roster of planets in our solar system, little did they expect the public outcry that would arise. Boyle, an award-winning science writer and the science editor at MSNBC.com, presents the issues regarding Pluto's status, both popular and scientific, in a winning fashion. After its discovery in 1930, the icy rock formerly known as Planet X was embraced by the public imagination, partly due to its status as 'the oddball of the solar system;' no doubt having Walt Disney name a cartoon dog after it also helped. But as astronomers learned more about the solar system and the distant Kuiper Belt at its fringes, they realized that Pluto, with its lopsided spin and strangely tilted orbit was very special indeed. Now astronomers have identified at least five dwarf planets, or 'mini-worlds,' orbiting our Sun. When the New Horizons spacecraft reaches Pluto in 2015, we'll know more about this 'underdog of the solar system.' Even then, the furor is bound to continue. Photos." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "All the intrigue and passion of a political scandal."
"Review" by , "An engrossing voyage of discovery about not only Pluto, but about the very process of scientific discovery."
"Review" by , "A must-read for any fan of astronomy!"
"Synopsis" by , The Case For Pluto: How A Little Planet Made a Big Difference, written by award-winning science writer Alan Boyle, traces the tiny planet's ups and downs, how it became a cultural phenomenon, and why it should still be considered a planet. Along the way, readers will discover the people behind the Plutonian intrigues, the oddities of dwarf planets and worlds beyond our solar system, and the renewed search for a potentially dangerous "Planet X."
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