Bye Bye Pluto

As of 4PM today, Pluto is no longer a planet. One less thing to remember I guess.

In one way, I feel diminished. Now, instead of being a member of a robust, nine planet solar system, at this point I can only claim seven planetary neighbors.

On the other hand, maybe I should think of it not as having one less planet, but instead belonging to a more streamlined solar system. One where average planet size and gravity has just been bumped up a notch. Our solar family is closer, more efficient, now that we’ve cut the dead weight.

One day I’ll be able to tell those pesky kids that not only did I have to walk uphill barefoot through the snow both ways to get to school, but back in my historic day, our solar system had nine planets. I won’t tell them that a delegation of astronomers held a vote, and Pluto got kicked to the curb. Nope, I’m going to tell them that due to an ice shortage in 2017, the UN decided to melt down the once planet Pluto for slushies. “It’s true dear, I was on the team that helped build the space hose from here to there. Top secret. Eat your water ice.”

Nuff said.