The Doctor Posted August 16, 2006 Posted August 16, 2006 I don't know how accurate my source is, but I'm posting this anyway. A little while ago ago, astronomers from across the globe met to argue whether Pluto should be considered a planet or not. In the process, the definition of a planet was altered to state that yes, Pluto is indeed a planet. This defintion brings three new planets into existence in our Solar System. I'm not positive what the new definition is, exactly, but I'll look into it. Here's a list of our System's planets now, in order of the planet's proximity to the Sun. Mercury Venus Earth Mars Ceres Jupiter Saturn Uranus Charron ~ Previously clasified as Pluto's moon. A definite 'WTF?'. Pluto Xena I don't see how something orbiting another planet can be considered a planet... so the Charron things confuses me... anyway... Thoughts? Comments?
Mace MacLeod Posted August 16, 2006 Posted August 16, 2006 Ceres is actually between Mars and Jupiter. In among the asteroid field denoting the inner and outer solar systems, IIRC. I saw this too. Apparently, astronomers are busy hammering out a universal definition of "planet", so poor little Pluto being as tiny as it is would have to share Planet status with Charon, Ceres and 2003 UB313 (nicknamed Xena by bored and dateless astronomy grad students, no doubt). Also up for discussion is the bunch of objects almost as big as Pluto in the Kuiper Belt. Interesting stuff, really. http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStories/ContentPosting.aspx?newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20060816%2fplanets_solarsystem_060816&feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V2&showbyline=True
MachineCult Posted August 16, 2006 Posted August 16, 2006 I saw this on BBC news today, apparently there is now a new class of planet called the Pluton which the new 3 planets are. Ceres I believe is between Mars and Jupiter as it was previously classed as an Asteroid, some prefer to think of Pluto/Charon as a double planet rather than a planet and a moon. I think it's great that there is now 12 planets, because is means that Astronomy has finally pwnt Astrology. It's just a shame they didn't name them Ariel and Persephone (Firefly).
Achilles Posted August 16, 2006 Posted August 16, 2006 One comment that I thought particularly interesting (and I'm paraphrasing) was: "I wish this board would just decide on a definition for 'planet' and then let the scientists determine which bodies qualify and which do not". I guess IAU is trying to do both at the same time and it's pissing off a lot of astronomers.
Hallucination Posted August 16, 2006 Posted August 16, 2006 So all that time I spent memorising in grade 2 was wasted? Very interesting, but I don't see what the point is except to confuse kids in elementary school.
Jae Onasi Posted August 16, 2006 Posted August 16, 2006 So all that time I spent memorising in grade 2 was wasted? Very interesting, but I don't see what the point is except to confuse kids in elementary school. How do you think us Old Pharts feel? I'm running out of brain space at my age.
igyman Posted August 16, 2006 Posted August 16, 2006 We have three new planets. Cool. (Well, we don't actually have new planets, I know, they've been there already, but hey!) Science is finally progressing.
Prime Posted August 17, 2006 Posted August 17, 2006 I hope these new planets have robots... But will everyone now stop moaning about Solar System cut content?
The Doctor Posted August 17, 2006 Author Posted August 17, 2006 Of course not, Prime. You should know by now that people will always find something to bitch about.
Hallucination Posted August 18, 2006 Posted August 18, 2006 But will everyone now stop moaning about Solar System cut content? I would, but I'm still sad that they didn't add the secret Space Ninja Pirate base in the between Earth and Mars.
Jae Onasi Posted August 18, 2006 Posted August 18, 2006 I hope these new planets have robots... I don't want robots, I want Orlando Bloom cabana boy clones. One for every planet. Cut content? I must not have been looking deep enough in the Planetary Files. Seriously, if it stays at 9 or goes to 12, the info on the planet(oid)s is interesting.
Dagobahn Eagle Posted August 18, 2006 Posted August 18, 2006 According to this new theory, there's between 19-21 planets in our solar system (the Sol System, not the Terra System). Now we know where the UFOs come from:p. (nicknamed Xena by bored and dateless astronomy grad students, no doubt)There's already a planet named Youranus, so it's not like the standards are that high:p.
Emperor Devon Posted August 18, 2006 Posted August 18, 2006 I don't see how something orbiting another planet can be considered a planet... so the Charron things confuses me... anyway... If it had to have one dfinition, should Australia be a country or continent? Waste of time to think about these things.
Mace MacLeod Posted August 18, 2006 Posted August 18, 2006 ^^^It actually depends on the final definition of Planet. They're considering anything with a diameter of 800km and over that can hold itself in spherical shape by its own gravity, so Charon, Ceres and 2003 UB313 would qualify. It's just a shame they didn't name them Ariel and Persephone (Firefly). Actually, Persephone is said to be a leading contender for 2003 UB313. The Xena thing is just a temporary nickname.
Terran I Posted August 18, 2006 Posted August 18, 2006 12 planets and they are all mine, that is cooooool! But I don't care about the number of planets, I just want to go there, can someone tell me how?)
HerbieZ Posted August 19, 2006 Posted August 19, 2006 ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL those class room posters that are drastically out of date. Tsk Tsk.
igyman Posted August 25, 2006 Posted August 25, 2006 Latest Update: I heard on the news yesterday that on their convention the astronomers have, in fact, decided to change the definition of a planet, so according to the new definition Pluto is no longer a planet and our solar system now has eight planets. The astronomers have decided to classify Pluto as a midget planet. As far as I gathered, the main problem about Pluto was its mass, apparently it's too small for it to be considered a planet. Sorry for not posting the new definition, I haven't memorized it. I'll try to look it up and if I find it I'll post it here.
Darth InSidious Posted August 25, 2006 Posted August 25, 2006 It's just a shame they didn't name them Ariel and Persephone (Greek Mythology). Fixed! Okay, so technically "Ariel" isn't from Greek mythology, but Persephone is, and Ariel's already a moon of "Uranus" @Dagobahn Eagle: Only 'cos the scientists couldn't spell Should be "Oranos" really.
MachineCult Posted August 25, 2006 Posted August 25, 2006 ^^^ Lol, yeah but in Greek mythology Ariel and Persephone aren't planets.
JediKnight707 Posted August 27, 2006 Posted August 27, 2006 Bah, Humbug! I mean, I still consider Pluto a planet, regardless of what these new "scientists" are saying. They should let kids decide everything. I think that we should be run by 10-11 year olds. That way, politics and all that bull**** doesn't get in the way of anything. THere minds haven't been warped by opinions. Mine certainly has. Regardless of what people say, I think Pluto is a damn planet. It's been instilled in my mind that way.
Jae Onasi Posted August 27, 2006 Posted August 27, 2006 Hey, think of how all the people felt when they first learned Pluto was a planet. "I learned the solar system as 8 planets. Darn Pluto had to ruin a perfectly good thing."
igyman Posted August 27, 2006 Posted August 27, 2006 I didn't bother me that much to hear that Pluto's not a planet, what bothered me was to hear ''It's not a planet, our solar system has eight planets, Pluto is a dwarf planet.'' I mean, it was like WT*? What's the difference? Sure, it's somewhat smaller, but you're telling me that because of that it doesn't count as a planet anymore?
goldberry Posted August 27, 2006 Posted August 27, 2006 Acording to BBC news, the tally of new planets is now up to twelve new planets... methinks these people need to change the definition again.
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