Dinky Pluto Loses Its Status As Planet

Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:24 AM EDT

science, planet, vinesci, mutiny

Associated Press

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2.2

{"commentId":263445,"authorDomain":"misterc"}

MrC

"He started feeling on the trees... he then said, we on Pluto. I said how did you know? And he says, BECAUSE OF THE BARK, DUMMY!"

R.I.P. that joke. :(

{"commentId":263445,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"misterc"}

#1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:29 AM EDT

{"commentId":263597,"authorDomain":"mrcg"}

mrcg

This is sooooo terrible! Why did they have to do this? They just wanted to disappoint billions of people! ARRRRGh, I am very frustrated now.

I am NOT telling my 6 year old! This is a liberal conspiracy, ISN'T IT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Who did this? This has communist fingerprints all over it!!!!!

I refuse to accept this decision! Pluto is STILL a planet!

{"commentId":263597,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"mrcg"}

1 vote

#1.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:58 AM EDT

{"commentId":263615,"authorDomain":"mrcg"}

mrcg

Did Diebold make the calibration device for these telescopes?!?!?

{"commentId":263615,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"mrcg"}

1 vote

#1.2 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:07 AM EDT

{"commentId":263965,"authorDomain":"cqtech"}

Cary Quinn

Pluto is a Planetoid, that doesn't make it any less valuable to the solar system. Nor does this decision automatically invalidate all the lessons we had in grade school to define the nine major
distinct objects in the solar system.

What you have to tell your 6 year old is that he or she is going to get to learn about even more items in the sky than you did.

{"commentId":263965,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"cqtech"}

#1.3 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":263482,"authorDomain":"Jynne"}

Jynne

I am getting out my permanent marker and heading towards my bookshelf. How many books must I deface to kill a planet?

8 planets not 9, scratch Pluto
8 planets not 9, scratch Pluto
8 planets not 9, scratch Pluto

How embarrassing for Pluto ; )

{"commentId":263482,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"Jynne"}

2 votes

#2 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:56 AM EDT

{"commentId":263971,"authorDomain":"cqtech"}

Cary Quinn

None, those books just became valuable artifacts of the 20th century.

{"commentId":263971,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"cqtech"}

1 vote

#2.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":263487,"authorDomain":"whyren"}

Whyren

It really only makes sense...by defining Pluto as a planet (along with Ceres, Charon, and Xena), we'd eventually end up with tons more planets as we further explore trans-Neptunian space and the Kuiper Belt. It seems only a small step though. They're really going to have to create a more solid hierarchical classification system for defining planets as we continue to explore the galaxy.

{"commentId":263487,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"whyren"}

5 votes

#3 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:59 AM EDT

{"commentId":263846,"authorDomain":"critical"}

Critical

This makes no sense.. VVVV

{"commentId":263846,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"critical"}

#3.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":263528,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

This now makes at least one episode of Saved By the Bell obsolete.

{"commentId":263528,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"spring"}

4 votes

#4 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":263993,"authorDomain":"abdiel"}

Abdiel

I think that episodes of Saved By the Bell did that work for themselves quite well already. . .

{"commentId":263993,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"abdiel"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":263540,"authorDomain":"paulinebrock"}

Pauline Brock

Think of all the school science projects that just got a little simpler.

{"commentId":263540,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"paulinebrock"}

#5 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:32 AM EDT

{"commentId":263595,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

And all the mnemonic devices that are now worthless.

{"commentId":263595,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"spring"}

7 votes

#5.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:58 AM EDT

{"commentId":264459,"authorDomain":"misterc"}

MrC

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos.

I can't take credit for it, but it works just as well.

{"commentId":264459,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"misterc"}

1 vote

#5.2 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":263643,"authorDomain":"wtbard"}

Bill Bard

NASAWatch has a reader's comment that says the resolution states

"RESOLUTION 5A ... (1) A planet1 is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit."

The implication is that Jupiter and Earth would not be planets since there are Near Earth Objects around Earth and Trojan asteroids around Jupiter.

{"commentId":263643,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"wtbard"}

1 vote

#6 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:24 AM EDT

{"commentId":263726,"authorDomain":"MRZK"}

MRZK.COM

God forbid we would increase the number of planets and thereby increase interest in Space. No, let's put artificial limits on these things. Let's contain human imagination and natural wonder within arbitrary bounds. Let's favor committees over explorers.

Clyde Tombaugh is turning over in his grave.

{"commentId":263726,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"MRZK"}

#7 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":263985,"authorDomain":"cqtech"}

Cary Quinn

They have increased the number of additional objects that fall into the same planetary category as Pluto.

That increases interest in space, because now amateur and professional astronomers have an even better chance of getting noticed for discovering and cataloging sub-planetary objects that can be put on an equal footing with "the object formerly known as a planet".

This also greatly helps the wider exploration and discovery of planets around other stars in our galaxy, by providing a more accurate working definition against which other stellar systems can
be checked.

{"commentId":263985,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"cqtech"}

1 vote

#7.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":263778,"authorDomain":"dlhouse"}

DLhouse

Regarding orbit - Pluto has an eliptical orbit around the sun, eliptical, but still an orbit. The type of orbit was not specified in the resolution.

Regarding neighborhoods - Neither Pluto nor Neptune have cleared their orbit paths if they cross each other's orbit.

Obviously the board was wrong. There are now only 7 planets.

But this is all OK, I'm sure a future board also claiming legislative power will restore Pluto's status as a planet.

{"commentId":263778,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"dlhouse"}

#8 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":264090,"authorDomain":"bjanesh"}

bjanesh

I agree that the definition is a bit hazy on the subject of orbits, but if you look at Pluto's orbit about the Sun, you'll find not only is it rather elliptical, but also that it is inclined (about 17 degrees) with respect to the rest of the solar system. Add to that the fact that most of the other planets have a pretty low eccentricity in their orbits and it's fairly obvious that Pluto is very different.

In fact, if one were to observe the solar system from a distance, it would be very easy to identify which of the objects make the cut as a planet, and which do not, because they are all more or less in the same ecliptic plane. (Pluto, Charon, and 2003 UB313 are not)

I certainly agree, though, that having a planet's neighborhood cleared is a bit much to ask, but there are probable explanations for this. I can go into more detail if you like.

{"commentId":264090,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"bjanesh"}

1 vote

#8.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":263807,"authorDomain":"QACoach"}

QACoach

Wow...these folks have waaaaaay too much time on their hands.

I'm betting this change in definition, and the resulting removal of Pluto as a planet, is a move by base-8 aliens who wanted to simplify the counting. I mean...by their definition there were really 11 planets. So trying to fit in here on earth got so confusing. "Lets see...is it 11 or is '9' - whatever that is?"

{"commentId":263807,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"QACoach"}

#9 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":264002,"authorDomain":"cqtech"}

Cary Quinn

No, theses folks have way too much work on their hands.

If we continue to classify Pluto as a planet under the classical definition, then there are several hundred other objects in our solar system that deserve the same distinction, including Luna, the Earth's own moon.

We could spend the time an effort to bring those other object up to the same level as Pluto, or we can raise the bar a little, and still recognize Pluto for its historical significance.

{"commentId":264002,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"cqtech"}

#9.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":264739,"authorDomain":"QACoach"}

QACoach

Ah...but Luna does not orbit independently around the sun...only as a child of Earth's orbit.

{"commentId":264739,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"QACoach"}

#9.2 - Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:47 AM EDT

{"commentId":265242,"authorDomain":"cqtech"}

Cary Quinn

But it still technically qualified, under the old definition, since it is larger than some objects we were used to calling planets.

And Luna is slowly drifting further from Earth orbit. So at some point it may well become more of a solar satellite than an Earth-bound one.

{"commentId":265242,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"cqtech"}

#9.3 - Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:45 PM EDT

{"commentId":263852,"authorDomain":"critical"}

Critical

Idiotic. We have some guys who feel like this makes sense because as we explore more objects will become planets.. so what? A planet should be defined as being over a certain size and having an orbit around our sun or other star. Pluto does orbit our sun. Not sure I like this idea much.

{"commentId":263852,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"critical"}

#10 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":263887,"authorDomain":"mbond"}

Michael Bond

A planet should be defined as being over a certain size

this is what started it. Many thought pluto to be too small to be a planet

{"commentId":263887,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"mbond"}

2 votes

#10.1 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":264013,"authorDomain":"loathrevolver"}

LoathRevolver

I haven't been this sad since I found out that the brontosaurus didn't exist. *tear*

{"commentId":264013,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"loathrevolver"}

3 votes

#11 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":264058,"authorDomain":"joeyloman"}

joeyloman

Oh No! Now my horoscope is really messed up!

So thats what's been wrong; my planetary alignment had too many pieces in it.

{"commentId":264058,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"joeyloman"}

2 votes

#12 - Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":264658,"authorDomain":"softfacts"}

M. Remmers

I'm just going to come right out and say it... @!$%# Pluto! Good riddance. I never gave a squirt of piss about that lumpy snowball. My Encyclopedia Britannica is now a collector's item! See you chumps on the Antiques Roadshow in fifty years...

{"commentId":264658,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"softfacts"}

1 vote

#13 - Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:14 AM EDT

{"commentId":264693,"authorDomain":"spring"}

Corey Spring

Haha, that's just the Obleo spice I needed.

{"commentId":264693,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"spring"}

#13.1 - Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:11 AM EDT

{"commentId":264778,"authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

Steve Watts

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine... dammit!

{"commentId":264778,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}

#14 - Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:27 AM EDT

{"commentId":264784,"authorDomain":"baxter"}

Tim Baxter

Written elsewhere and lost on the vine:

Dear Pluto:

I was hoping I'd never have to tell you these things. I really thought I could just go on, not really thinking about our relationship. or, to be more accurate, our lack of a relationship.

You see, Pluto, this just really isn't working out, now is it?

You seem so cold and distant. You're hardly ever around.

And if that weren't enough, well, I don't really know how to say this, but you don't really satisfy... you're small.

It's obvious you only want to swing around every once in a long while anyway, so I think we just need to say our relationship is over.

Thanks for understanding. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a hot date with Venus.

{"commentId":264784,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"baxter"}

#15 - Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:35 AM EDT

{"commentId":265529,"authorDomain":"MRZK"}

MRZK.COM

Yeah, I'd much rather discover a dwarf than a planet...

{"commentId":265529,"threadId":"38594","contentId":"338084","authorDomain":"MRZK"}

#16 - Fri Aug 25, 2006 6:56 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"38594","isPrivate":false}

Backyard

Dinky Pluto Loses Its Status As Planet

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