NEW definition of planet : "a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a … nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit." Pluto, which is smaller than Earth's moon, doesn't fit the new criteria for a planet: "a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a … nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit." Pluto doesn't qualify because its orbit is inclined relative to the rest of the solar system and crosses over the orbit of Neptune. Thanks.
so it did happen then.. I heard about it but never thaught they'd 'demote' a planet to nothing Any idea if they'll be making a new 'category' for things like Pluto (a recognised, distinguished planet-like thing with an abnormal rotation around the sun)? Thanks for any extra info Chuckun
yeah i read this news ysterday and did you read that 2500 scientist from 50+ countries had a meeting over this?? and 3 more planets are adding in our solar system..
Friends, This means that the Solar System consists of eight "planets" - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. A new distinct class of objects called "dwarf planets" was also decided. It was agreed that "planets" and "dwarf planets" are two distinct classes of objects. The first members of the "dwarf planet" category are Ceres, Pluto and 2003 UB313 (temporary name). A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that is in orbit around the Sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape2 , has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and is not a satellite. Thanks.