Worldwide Organizations

A 3-D rendering of the ex-planet Pluto

Do you remember a time when Pluto was actually considered a planet? It was the International Astronomical Union that voted to make Pluto a dwarf planet, due to its eccentric orbit around the Sun. This was an important vote as it changed the knowledge of the Solar System. There are also a lot of amateur astronomers in the world. Sometimes, these astronomers make important scientific discoveries. For example in 2009, an amateur astronomer discovered a scar on Jupiter that must have come from the impact of a comet or meteorite.

Why do you think is it important to have societies devoted to the study of astronomy? Are there any disadvantages to these societies? Why is it important for there to be a governing body to organize and control advances in the field of astronomy?