http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2006/08/16/nine_no_longer_panel_declares_12_planets/ I thought for sure, they'd demote Pluto to a non-planet. But, instead 3 new planets, and Pluto remains: The universal definition of a planet (for the first time, actually) I love astronomy, and this definition of planet is pretty close to what I thought it should be, save one caveat. I thought that, they'd add something, to the effect of: If an object meets the criteria (above); then it must the only object orbiting in a given path around the sun. This would have excluded Pluto, Charon (its moon) (since its in the Keiber (sp?) belt as well as Ceres (an asteroid in the asteroid belt). It still seems to me that Charon is not a planet (as it orbits an object of greater mass). 12 planets now, possibility for over 100? Seems a bit unweildy, even if they do call the others "plutons" or whatever.
I think its always been called. Xena, probably translates different into other languages, though. Thanks for that re-spelling. Its early and I don't feel like looking it up Not really. Unless the planets Charon, Xena and Ceres give you wood. Its more a convention change, than anything else. I think its the wrong direction. I think it was partly done because Pluto has been a planet for so long, they didn't want to demote it; and to make it fit, you have to include many many other objects.
So this is set in stone now? I just can't believe I have to learn 3 more planets. On the other hand knowing the other nine didn't really contribute to any success or failure that I had in life, so I guess its ok if I sit that lesson out.
Yes, I think it is, the international astronomy body made the declaration. I know i'm demanding a NASA mission to Xena to see if the amazons are there!
One of our teachers told us long ago that a new planet had been discovered named SEDENA. We all made fun of that teacher. Please confirm if it is true.
That was probably xena. It is way beyond pluto. I think something like 3 times the distance from the sun that pluto is.
Here is the final resolution (if anyone cares). Pluto has been demoted, in the end. And the other 2 are not planets either. They did end up adding the caveat I thought was necessary: They actually worded it (according to the BBC): So I was pretty close. I'm glad Pluto is gone, given the other objects out there. And I'm glad that "planet" isn't defined down to mean almost anything. I think this is the right decision. BBC Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5281468.stm (the one on yahoo's homepage sucks!)
I do care,Lorien .Astronomy isn't a subject I majored or anything,but I just take an interest in it The BBC topic says that Pluto's fate is yet to be decided,doesn' it?? But it has been decided,sad that Pluto has gone My very eager mother just showed us nine ..."planets" is out of this now... Check out this link http://www.iau2006.org/mirror/www.iau.org/iau0602/index.html
I heard it was demoted too. Yahoo's story actually says that. Looks like this BBC article suggests its up in the air still, but the decision has been made. Here we go. Updated story. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/content/article/2006/08/24/pluto935.html I don't think most people realize that their orbits intersect. by strict definition, doesnt this mean neptune should be demoted too? Since it has not "cleared the neighborhood around its orbit" since Pluto intersects that orbit. I guess the chances of those two ever colliding is miniscual.