Did you know that Pluto used to be a planet just like Earth, Mars, and Jupiter? But in 2006, scientists decided Pluto is not a planet anymore. Why? Let’s find out! And also, let’s learn why our home—Earth—is one of the most special places in the universe.

Pluto was discovered in 1930 and became the ninth planet in our solar system. It is very far from the Sun and is smaller than our Moon. For many years, we all learned that there were nine planets, with Pluto being the last one.

But in August 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) changed the definition of a planet. They said that for something to be a real planet, it must:

Pluto didn’t pass the third rule. It shares its orbit with other objects, so it was reclassified as a dwarf planet.

Fun Fact: Pluto is part of a group called the Kuiper Belt, where many icy and rocky objects live.

There are trillions of planets in the universe. But Earth is the only one we know that has:

Scientists, including NASA, have studied many planets. So far, no other planet shows signs of life. That makes Earth very special.

A long time ago, a planet the size of Mars crashed into the early Earth. The debris from this impact came together and formed the Moon. This is called the Giant Impact Hypothesis.

The Moon plays an important role for Earth:

Understanding space helps us see how small we are in the universe. It also helps us appreciate how lucky we are to live on Earth.

Even though Pluto is not a planet anymore, it's still an important part of our solar system.

Want to learn more? Stay tuned to our blog to explore more fun facts about space, planets, and the mysteries of the universe.