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Why is it called 134340?

Published in Astronomy & Music 1 min read

134340 is the designation Pluto received after being reclassified as a dwarf planet. This number then gained further recognition through the song "134340" by the South Korean boy band BTS.

Essentially, the name relates to two key things:

  • Pluto's Planetary Number: When astronomers redefined Pluto's status, removing its designation as a full-fledged planet, it was assigned the minor-planet number 134340 in the Minor Planet Center's catalog. This act of demotion and renaming is a core element of the name's significance.

  • BTS Song & Metaphor: The K-pop group BTS used the number 134340 for a song on their album Love Yourself: Answer. The song uses Pluto's loss of planetary status as a metaphor for feeling reduced in importance within a relationship, conveying a sense of being forgotten or no longer valued by a loved one. The lyrics explore themes of fading love and diminished significance.

Therefore, "134340" carries a dual significance, referencing a scientific reclassification and its metaphorical interpretation within a song about relationship dynamics.