On the heels of "Galileo's New Universe: The Revolution in Our Understanding of the Cosmos" (March 2009) that Laurence Marschall, S.K.T. Sahm Professor of Physics, co-authored with NASA scientist Stephan Maran, comes "Pluto Confidential: An Insider Account of the Ongoing Battles over the Status of Pluto," also co-authored with Stephan Maran. In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union adopted a new definition of a "planet." Pluto became a dwarf/minor planet – and if you think there’s controversy over health care/health insurance in this country...
Whether Pluto, often cited as a favorite by many children (even those long out of school), is a planet or not continues to be a topic of passionate debate and definite discord among scientists, and evokes positive melancholy from the rest of the world. "Pluto Confidential" gives readers an insider look at how the IAU resolution came to be, what it means for astronomy, who implemented it, who agrees and who disagrees, and whether "it's the first or millionth time the world's view of astronomy has rotated on its axis.” Larry and Steve have taken opposite sides in this controversy, so prepare to enjoy a spirited insider look at this tempest in our Milky Way!
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