In Other News, Ancient Rome Has Declared Pluto the King of the Underworld…

Pluto’s sullied celestial reputation has been restored. In brazen defiance of the International Astronomical Union–which famously demoted Pluto to dwarf planet in 2006–the State of Illinois this week passed a resolution restoring Pluto’s planetary status.

In Illinois, anyway. Apparently, Clyde Tombaugh, who first discovered the planet, was born on a farm there.

“WHEREAS, Pluto was unfairly downgraded to a ‘dwarf’ planet in a vote in which only 4 percent of the International Astronomical Union’s 10,000 scientists participated,” the resolution reads. “And WHEREAS, Many respected astronomers believe Pluto’s full planetary status should be restored; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that as Pluto passes overhead through Illinois’ night skies, that it be reestablished with full planetary status, and that March 13, 2009 be declared ‘Pluto Day’ in the State of Illinois in honor of the date its discovery was announced in 1930.”