Starwatch: Of Pluto and planets

Astronomers of all stripes are poised for a face-to-face meeting with Pluto - a mere point of light in a large telescope, but a familiar mark on our star charts for 85 years. It's like meeting a lifelong pen-pal for the first time. A concoction of nerves, expectations and raw excitement has swept the community, unable to resist the allure of the unknown. Yet Pluto is only the first step into a new frontier of exploration beyond Neptune.