If you’re one of the many people who hated that Pluto was demoted from its planet status back in 2006, you’ve got a friend in the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. And, once again, the store is organizing a protest and rally to support bringing Pluto back into the planetary fold from its current “dwarf planet” classification.
A horrible injustice has occurred! Concerned citizens, aghast astronomers, intrepid interstellar adventurers, and other luminaries have joined forces to protest one of the darkest days in recent solar system history. Pluto—the smallest and most distant planet—has been removed from the planetary pantheon.
We refuse to bow to this outrageous decree, and declare: PLUTO IS A PLANET.
So join other outraged folks at 1 p.m. Saturday at the store at 8414 Greenwood Ave. N., and bring your signs and Pluto chants. The march moves north to 87th Street, then back to Neptune Coffee on the other side of the street, at 8415 Greenwood Ave. N.
19 responses so far ↓
1 Trix // Mar 8, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Alas, same day and time as the St. Pat’s parade. But I’ll be with them in spirit.
2 D. Sanchez // Mar 8, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Four years ago I would have protest, now four years later I have to say, get over it.
3 Neighbor // Mar 8, 2010 at 2:06 pm
“Hate” is quite a strong word for this, though I am happy to support 826 Seattle in any way I can — including ensuring the group’s name is in fact mentioned on this page.
4 Whopper // Mar 8, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I saw Pluto can be a planet ony if Green’hood can be sent to an outer galaxy.
5 anon // Mar 8, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Whats the deal with that store anyway? Do they actually sell anything? How do they stay in business? Is it just a hobby for a former Microsoft Millionaire?
6 Trix // Mar 8, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Anon - they do sell a great many things. Stop in and see for yourself. I think I’ve also seen kids tours. Not sure what is being toured. Or maybe it’s a science class kind of thing.
I heart space nerds.
7 Doree // Mar 8, 2010 at 3:42 pm
anon - It’s actually a sales front for 826 Seattle - a non-profit writing and tutoring center for kids. There are a number of 826 centers around the country, started by author Dave Eggers. Profits from the Space Travel store help support 826, which provides free services to kids age 6-18.
8 Trix // Mar 8, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for the details, Doree! So that’s why I’ve seen groups of kids in there.
9 anon // Mar 8, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Interesting - I did wander in there one day, and still couldn’t figure it out! thanks for the info
10 outside the box // Mar 8, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Far out…….
11 Greenwood_D // Mar 8, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@Whopper
How about Pluto can become a planet only if we can send your pretentious Phinney neighborhood into Uranus. Bet it would fit.
Hater.
12 MonkeyPilot // Mar 9, 2010 at 3:00 pm
That’s the beauty of internet anonymity. You can badmouth neighbors with things you’d never say in person, and never have to worry that they’ll find out who you really are.
Right, Whopper?
13 Ethan // Mar 9, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Pluto didn’t get demoted, just clarified. Are dwarf stars stars? Yes! Are dwarf planets planets? Yes! It’s like saying that Jupiter and Saturn were made non-planets because they are called giant planets.
So, though I also heart space nerds, I disagree with the protest’s premise!
14 Laurel Kornfeld // Mar 9, 2010 at 4:37 pm
NO ONE should “get over” the horrible decision made by four percent of the IAU, most of whom are not planetary scientists, a decision that violated the group’s own bylaws and was opposed by hundreds of professional astronomers in a formal petition led by Dr. Alan Stern, Principal Investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto.
The IAU definition is so bad that it actually states dwarf planets are NOT planets at all, in direct contradiction to the use of the term “dwarf” in astronomy, where dwarf stars are still stars, and dwarf galaxies are still galaxies. If the IAU amended its resolution to establish dwarf planets as a subclass of planets, much of the opposition would dissipate.
People should remember that a decree by four percent of the IAU does not make something “gospel truth.” It is just one side in an ongoing debate. The IAU definition only has legitimacy based on people’s acceptance of it.
I wish I could be at this rally, as I’ve been actively fighting the IAU decision for three and a half years. Unfortunately, I live on the opposite coast, in New Jersey. However, I’m with all protestors in spirit and online if you choose to set up a virtual rally.
15 Jason // Mar 9, 2010 at 5:50 pm
As much as I appreciate ones right to protest for whatever one believes in I find it a little odd that the neighborhood feels the need to protest a cause that is basically, well, pointless. Why not come together as a community to rally around something with a little more substance? Crime. Government. Equality. Whatever. At least something closer than a planetisimal almost 3 billion miles from home.
16 Whopper // Mar 9, 2010 at 7:03 pm
“Equality.”
Because maybe this protest will be fun, attainable and have attractive women…. an ‘equality’ protest would have none of that.
17 Julie // Mar 10, 2010 at 11:41 am
Jason, did you even look at the link? Good grief. No one, not even a bunch of kids, can have any fun anymore.
I think I have to visit 826 this weekend to get a Pluto button to go with the jar of Certainty sitting on my desk at work.
The irony here is that 826 is actually doing something way beyond a rally in support of equality every day.
18 Neighbor // Mar 11, 2010 at 6:34 pm
@15: I know, right? And why does Greenwood need a “space travel supply store” when so very, very few of us can actually travel in outer space at this point? Some heads need to be checked!
19 ALD // Mar 18, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Jeez, people, lighten up. It’s a silly, non-serious protest. Have some fun, already! Show Pluto some love!
Or don’t! Counter-protest in pirate costumes, or somethin’! Have some fun, instead of grouching at people!
Leave a Comment