Pluto still a planet, in New Mexico
Seven months after being stripped of its planet-hood by an international scientific organisation, Pluto has found a loyal friend in New Mexico.
Legislators have introduced a resolution that would restore the newly classified dwarf planet back to its former status.
The bill also sets a special day aside to honour Pluto, 13 March. This is the 77th anniversary of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) announcement of Pluto's discovery. The IAU is the same board that last year demoted the planet.
"Be it resolved by the legislature of the state of New Mexico that as Pluto passes overhead through New Mexico's excellent night skies, it be declared a planet," reads the bill, which was introduced by Joni Marie Gutierrez and then apparently tabled for future consideration.
California lawmakers embarked on a similar legislative missive last year.
They said that the "downgrading of Pluto reduces the number of planets available for legislative leaders to hide redistricting legislation and other inconvenient political reform measures".
The state claimed special affection for Pluto as it shares the name of "California's most famous animated dog and has a special connection to California history and culture".
Legislators also said downgrading Pluto's status will cause "psychological harm to some Californians who question their place in the universe and worry about the instability of universal constants".
The measure, which condemned the IAU's decision, died with the close of the 2006 legislative session.
Perhaps Pluto backers will fare better in New Mexico.
Pluto's demotion upset more than a few politicians. Scientists also plan to take up the issue at upcoming conferences of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the European Geosciences Union (EGU).
"EGU and AAAS are both much larger professional organisations of scientists than the IAU," says Dr Alan Stern, the principal investigator of a NASA probe that is on its way to explore Pluto.
"I think this is empirical evidence that the IAU definition is fatally flawed and other scientific organisations are now stepping up to the plate to repair the situation IAU has created," he says.