For those of you in the Dallas / Ft Worth area, you have an opportunity to hear Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, noted astrophysicist, author and director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, speak at the University of Texas at Arlington on February 17th. Probably best known for his appearances on numerous PBS science programs and for his position on the status of Pluto as a planet (that it isn't one), Dr. Tyson is a visible and vocal advocate for science, astrophysics and space exploration. His appearance at UTA as part of the Maverick Speakers Series is open to the public and attendence is free. For more information and tickets, see:
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Pluto is a planet. Tyson is wrong in classifying it with comets, as it is in hydrostatic equilibrium, meaning it is large enough for its own self gravity to have pulled it into a round shape. Many astronomers do still view Pluto as a planet and are working to get the controversial IAU demotion overturned.
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