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Out in the Cold

A round, tan-colored planet against a background of stars.
24K-PRODUCTION—GETTY IMAGES

Twenty years ago, Pluto’s status changed. On August 24, 2006, the icy world was reclassified from a major planet to a dwarf planet. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) made the decision. Per the IAU, a planet must have enough gravitational force to clear other large objects out of its path. Pluto does not. Some believe the IAU should reconsider. On April 28, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said he wants to “make Pluto a planet again.”