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Michael E. Brown

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description Michael E. Brown Overview

Michael E. Brown is an American planetary astronomer whose research focuses on objects beyond Neptune and the structure of the outer Solar System. He led or participated in the discovery of several major trans-Neptunian bodies, including Eris, whose estimated size intensified debate about the definition of a planet and contributed to Pluto's 2006 classification as a dwarf planet. Brown is a professor at the California Institute of Technology and conducts observational research on Kuiper Belt objects and dwarf planets.

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What objects in the Solar System did Michael E. Brown discover?

Brown led teams that discovered several large trans-Neptunian objects, most notably the dwarf planet Eris in 2005. He also participated in the discoveries of Sedna, Haumea, and Makemake, all major bodies beyond Neptune.

Why is Michael E. Brown sometimes called the man who 'killed Pluto'?

Brown's discovery of Eris, which was initially estimated to be larger than Pluto, directly forced the International Astronomical Union to reconsider the definition of a planet. The IAU's resulting 2006 decision reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet, and Brown embraced the nickname in his 2010 book 'How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming.'

Where does Michael E. Brown work?

Brown is a professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology, commonly known as Caltech, in Pasadena. He has conducted much of his observational research using telescopes at the Palomar Observatory in southern California.

Was there a controversy over the discovery of the dwarf planet Eris?

Yes, Brown and his team were in a dispute with Spanish astronomer José Luis Ortiz Moreno, who also reported discovering the same body. Brown alleged that Ortiz had accessed Brown's telescope observation logs online before announcing the discovery, leading to a contentious priority claim within the astronomy community.

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