Pluto Reclaims Title as Ninth Planet
News story originally written on February 11, 1999

On February 11th, Pluto will pass beyond Neptune and become the farthest planet in the solar system. Scientists estimate that the two planets will cross orbits at approximately 5:08 p.m. EST.

Pluto has an unusual orbit which takes it closer to the Sun than Neptune for 20 years out of its 248-year orbit. Pluto has been the eighth planet since February 7th, 1979.

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