The Pluto files : the rise and fall of America's favorite planet /
"In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union voted Pluto out of planethood. Far from the sun, tiny, and eccentric in orbit, it's a wonder Pluto has any fans. Yet during the mounting debate over Pluto's status, Americans rallied behind the extraterrestrial underdog. Disney cre...
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
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New York, NY :
W.W. Norton,
[2009]
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| Edition: | First edition |
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| Online Access: | Table of contents View cover image provided by Mackin |
| Summary: | "In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union voted Pluto out of planethood. Far from the sun, tiny, and eccentric in orbit, it's a wonder Pluto has any fans. Yet during the mounting debate over Pluto's status, Americans rallied behind the extraterrestrial underdog. Disney created an irresistible pup by the same name, and, as one NASA scientist put it, Pluto was 'discovered by an American for America'. Pluto is entrenched in our cultural, patriotic view of the cosmos, and Neil deGrasse Tyson is on a quest to discover why. Only Tyson can tell this story: he was involved in the first exhibits to demote Pluto, and, consequently, Pluto lovers have freely shared their opinions with him, including endless hate mail from third graders. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores the history of planet recently been judged a dwarf."--Publisher description. |
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| Physical Description: | xii, 194 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 22 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-182) and index. |
| ISBN: | 0393065200 9780393065206 0393337324 9780393337327 9780393350364 0393350363 |