Irrelevant, as even atmosphere contributes to the mass of a planet. If you desire to discount the atmosphere, the rocky core of Jupiter, for example, is already 10 to 20 times larger than earth, and the core of the smallest gas (but technically ice) giant, uranus, still makes up about 80% of its mass.
The IAU set 3 requirements for planetary status. Pluto meets 2 of 3, it orbits the sun and is spherical. Where it fails is the third requirement which states that it has to have cleared its path around the sun, basically it has to be the supreme object within its orbit, Pluto’s orbit intersects with Neptune’s disqualifying it from planetary status. The amount of moons it possesses and the fact that it has an atmosphere is irrelevant.
There was a time where we were meant to learn like 20 something planets of the solar system but that got embolished and you don't hear protests to call the other 12< objects "planets"
No, people, you don't understand. Pluto is not and never again will be a planet. It is far too small, for certain, and in additon it crosses Neptune's orbit. Its orbit is so elliptical in fact that it sometimes crosses that of uranus. It is not even large enough to be considered by the sun something large enough to have a planetary-style orbit. It has approximately a sixth of the moon's mass, for heck's sake. Indeed it has 5 satellites (nix, hydra, chiron, Styx and kerberos) but that is utterly irrelevant to the title of a planet in an astronomical sense. Eris is indeed more massive than pluto, more than 25% more so if I remember correctly, though Pluto has a larger volume due to the fact that it is composed a good deal of ice. And finally, about the atmosphere, you know what else has an atmosphere? Saturn's moon, titan, and plenty of other moons across our solar system. Titan's atmosphere is even far more substantial. Again totally irrelevant to the title of a planet. Please stop...
... as arguing about this makes you seem totally unknowledgeable about this whole topic and no legitimate astronomer or astronomical affiliate will ever take you seriously if you argue this.
We have to draw the line somewhere, or else we'd have about 50 planets to learn about instead of 8 if we count obviously dwarf planets as planets. Pluto happens to be that line.
VIVA LA DROITURE!
VIVA VIVA VIVA LA PLUTO!!!!!
We have to draw the line somewhere, or else we'd have about 50 planets to learn about instead of 8 if we count obviously dwarf planets as planets. Pluto happens to be that line.