Critical Pluto
Ever since its discovery in 1930, Pluto has been surrounded by several controversies. With the redefinition of a planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), Pluto is no longer a planet. This decision gives way to several questions including whether Pluto will be replaced by some other planet? Will the syllabi of schools be revised? Most importantly whether astrology will be reviewed keeping the changes in mind?Pluto does not figure in the navagrahas in Indian Astrology. Navagraha stands for 9 planets, which include the Sun, Moon and some other planets. So the recent astronomical changes would not affect Indian Astrology. However, Pluto does have a place in Indian mythology. Pluto and Neptune were considered dark planets hence Pluto was assigned the name Yama, the guardian of hell in Hindu mythology.
Pluto is an alternate name for the Greek God 'Hades' but it has often been used in Roman mythology to address the God of Underworld. Pluto play a significant role in the Greek Astrological charts, as it has an extremely slow orbit and takes many years for to pass through the zodiac signs. Even astrology admits that Pluto's orbit irregular.
Whether or not Pluto is classified as planet is relevant to modern practitioners of astrology. The qualities associated with Pluto are still applicable whether it is called a planet or an asteroid. Astrologers use other bodies in addition to planets in their calculations, such as asteroids. Ceres, an asteroid, one of the bodies they may call a planet, already is in use by modern Astrologers. Other asteroids like Juno, Pallas, and Vesta are also used in astrology.
As per the new definition of a planet set by IAU, Pluto does not qualify because of its tiny size and highly eccentric orbit. All planets can not be the same; they have different characteristics. What happened with Pluto can also happen with some other planet in the times to come. Definitions keep on being revised with time. Astrology can not be changed with every change in the definitions. Astrology largely depends on heavenly bodies and not on the physical composition or characteristics of those bodies. Both the terms, Astrology and Astronomy sound the same but have very few things in common. Astrology refers to several systems, traditions and beliefs in which knowledge of positions of celestial bodies is required for necessary predictions. Whereas Astronomy is concerned with the evolution, physics, chemistry and motion of these celestial objects.
Though the resolution was passed in a raised-hands vote at the IAU; there still lies a possibility of Pluto bouncing back as a Planet. The debate is still on as Pluto does have some characteristics of a Planet under the new definition. Just like other Planets, Pluto has gravity, moons, active surface and pronounced seasons unlike comets and asteroids. Every couple of years, this issue flares up to end where it all started. Scientists at NASA’s robotic mission to Pluto have slammed the IAU ruling to strip Pluto of its planet status calling the new definition inconsistent.
posted by pukhraj @ 12:39 AM
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