Critical Reading Form: Article 1

1. Paraphrase:
The core of the dwarf planet Pluto is, contrary to popular belief, very young
compared to other objects in the solar system, and estimated to be only ten billion years old. It
has also been discovered that Plutos surface has been altered recently due to geological
activity. Also, the atmosphere of Pluto is icy cold with winds strong enough to reshape the
landscape of the dwarf planet.
2. Explicating:
The main point of this article is to demonstrate that Plutos surface is always
growing and changing, and is strikingly young. In other words, the landscape of Pluto is not as
stagnant as previously believed because of high winds and icy temperatures. Pluto is vast and
ever changing, altering to the demands of its surroundings, much like the people of society
today. Like the United States, Pluto is adapting to outside threats and influences every day in
order to maintain stability and its place in the solar system.
3.

Analyzing:

The main purpose of this article is to address the age and surface of Pluto as
well as evaluate the causes of Plutos changing face. The key question the author addresses is
Plutos landscape and how it plays into the atmosphere that Pluto is in. The most important
information in the article is the discovery that Plutos atmosphere greatly resembles that of
Saturns main moon, Titan, and that the heart of Pluto, the Sputnik Planum, is free of craters,
which means that winds are continually altering the dwarf planets surface. The main conclusion
from this article is that Pluto is always adapting according to its surroundings, and is still in the
very early stages of its interstellar life. This means that Pluto still has a lot of growing to do and
will continue to alter itself multiple times over its lifespan. The main assumption of this article is
that everyone already understands that Pluto is not an actual planet, but is in fact a dwarf
planet. The author believes that the scientific evidence is overwhelming and that all readers are
already aware that Pluto is not labeled a planet in the solar system. If we take this line of
reasoning seriously, we open up a whole new world of possibilities for the adaptation and
changing aspects of interstellar objects. But if we choose not to accept these beliefs, then we
will never be able to explain how things change in our world or why they happen. In this article
we look at Pluto and why its surface is always in a state of flux and why it is continuously in this
state.

Critical Reading Form: Article 2

1.

Paraphrase:
Astronomers are constantly searching for planets outside of our solar system that
may harvest life. The planet Kepler 453b is one of these unique planets, because it is far
enough away from its sun so water will not evaporate into steam, but not too far so that the
water freezes into ice. Kepler 453b also rotates around a binary star, which is a two star system
that is locked onto each other.
2.

Explicating:
The main point of this article is to discuss that with the discovery of Kepler 453b
the possibilities of locating planets with life on them is great. In other words, life on other planets
is possible and because of Kepler 453b we are one step closer to locating other life in our
universe. But although Kepler 453b has the potential to host life like Earth, it is nothing like earth
in the sense that Kepler 453b is a gas giant, with a mass estimated under sixteen times that of
earth. If we find life on other planets it would be the biggest astronomical discovery in history
and would open up a new frontier. The discovery of life on another planet would equal the curing
of cancer in historic significance.
3.

Analyzing:
The main purpose of this article is to establish that life on other planets is a
possibility and that the planet Kepler 453b could be hosting some forms of life. The key question
the author is addressing in this piece is if there could be life on other planets in our universe
besides Earth. The most important information in this article is that Kepler 453b could be hosting
life thanks to its ability to keep a liquid water source on the surface of the planet. The radius of
Kepler 453b is 6.2 times bigger than that of Earth, and is about 60% bigger than Neptune as
well. The main conclusion is that Kepler 453b is most likely a host to other life sources and
could be the first planet discovered to hold living creatures. The key ideas we need to
understand in this article is that Kepler 453b has the potential to be able to sustain life and that it
is in a binary system with two locked stars. By this the author means that these two stars
gravitational pull creates a wobbly and erratic tilt to Kepler 453b, making it hard to record and
observe. The main assumption the author is making is that there actually is life in the universe
besides us. If people don't take the authors reasoning seriously then we could miss our
greatest opportunity to find outside life in our universe. The main point in this article is to show
that life may exist outside of Earth and that the planet Kepler 453b is a very possible home to
said life.

Critical Reading Form: Article 3

1. Paraphrase:
The IAU, International Astronomical Union, has downgraded Pluto from being a
planet to what is known as a dwarf planet. The IAU made this decision because Pluto does

meet all three of the requirements to be considered a planet, although it does meet two of the
three. The demotion of Pluto has raised much talk throughout the scientific community, some
wholeheartedly agreeing with the change, and some challenging the decision.
2. Explicating:
The main point of this article is to expose the controversy over Plutos
questionable planethood and the reactions of others to the decision to downgrade Pluto to dwarf
planet status. In other words, many have come to terms with the IAUs choice, agreeing that
science is always changing and evolving. However, some feel that because Pluto has been
considered a planet from the 1930s up until now, that it should remain unchanged to avoid
making a mistake. This situation is the equivalent of being taught how to do something one way
your entire life, only to find out you have been doing it wrong the whole time.
3. Analyzing:
The main purpose of this article is to illustrate the difference in opinions regarding
the decision to take away Plutos planethood status, and to explain why exactly Pluto as
reasoned to be merely a dwarf planet. The key question the article is addressing is why Plutos
downgrade occurred and if it really should have been demoted. The most important information
in the article is that there are three requirements an interstellar object must meet in order to be
considered a planet: orbit the sun, have a round shape, and clear the surrounding
neighborhood. Because Pluto is not capable of clearing the surrounding neighborhood, it is not
considered a planet. The conclusion from this article is that technically Pluto is not a planet,
although some still believe it to be a planet. The key idea we have to understand about this
article is that based on requirements, Pluto is only a dwarf planet, but many think this a mistake.
Many consider the demotion of Pluto to be a major error, since Pluto has been known as a
planet since the 1930s and should continue to be known as such. The main assumption in this
article is that Pluto cannot actually clear its surrounding neighborhood, but the proof behind this
statement is not solid. If we choose to believe this reasoning then we lose Pluto as a planet, and
revert back to the original eight planets. If we choose to ignore this reasoning and definitive
proof emerges about Pluto being anything less than a planet, then the IAU looks foolish. The
main point of the article is to highlight that there are many differing opinions on the subject of
Pluto, some agreeing with the downgrade and some arguing with it.