Name: How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
ISBN: 9780385531092

Mike Brown

The solar system most of us grew up with included nine planets, with Mercury closest to the sun and Pluto at the outer edge. Then, in 2005, astronomer Mike Brown made the discovery of a lifetime: a tenth planet, Eris, slightly bigger than Pluto. But instead of adding one more planet to our solar system, Brown’s find ignited a firestorm of controversy that culminated in the demotion of Pluto from real planet to the newly coined category of “dwarf” planet. Suddenly Brown was receiving hate mail from schoolchildren and being bombarded by TV reporters—all because of the discovery he had spent years searching for and a lifetime dreaming about. A heartfelt and personal journey filled with both humor and drama, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming is the book for anyone, young or old, who has ever imagined exploring the universe—and who among us hasn’t?

How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming

The astronomer who inadvertently triggered the "demotion" of Pluto in his effort to officially recognize the solar system's tenth planet describes the ensuing debates and public outcry while revealing the behind-the-scenes story of his discovery.

Wynter

You might have convinced me, Mike, but when I'm old and wrinkly I will still shake my withered finger at kids and croak:"Back in my day we had nine planets, and we liked it!"

Annalee Harris

The death of Pluto was a visceral sadness that was felt around the world, and Mike Brown shamelessly accepts his role. Part memoir and part science, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming is a fun, interesting, and shocking exposé on all conspiratorial events surrounding the controversial 2006 decision to demote Pluto.

Brown has an incredible ability to convey complex topics and elitist jargon into casual conversation, making the book extremely easy to understand while also keeping the audience engaged with all the science talk--while also appearing real, which was necessary. The only aspect that felt a little iffy was Brown's attempts to appear like a normal person while humblebragging about his worldwide vacations (and there are plenty of them). There's nothing less obnoxious than the man who singlehandedly murdered Pluto going on and on about his multiple vacations to "keep his mind off" astronomical problems.

Overall, How I Killed Pluto was enjoyable, diving further into Brown's life and his achievements than expected.

How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming

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