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- 21 Apr 2006
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- 49
I was looking around on the web for real science news, and here's something I missed. This is actually old news, as this was last year. I myself either missed it, or forgot about it.
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2006/08/16/nine_no_longer_panel_declares_12_planets/
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060816_planet_definition.html
Here's the day after news.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060817_planet_support.html
Now, the question I have is what do you (MSFC member) think defines as a planet?
I myself think 12 is a little high. As stated here -
I think Pluto should be left on the map as a planet, just because it's been there for so long in the schools. But it needs to be redefined as "An example" of "post planetary development" Such objects should be called "planetoids" or something similar.
So, What do you think?
The tally of planets in our solar system would jump instantly to a dozen under a highly controversial new definition proposed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Eventually there would be hundreds as more round objects are found beyond Neptune.
The proposal, which sources tell SPACE.com is gaining broad support, tries to plug a big gap in astronomy textbooks, which have never had a definition for the word "planet." It addresses discoveries of Pluto-sized worlds that have in recent years pitched astronomers into heated debates over terminology.
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2006/08/16/nine_no_longer_panel_declares_12_planets/
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060816_planet_definition.html
Here's the day after news.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060817_planet_support.html
Now, the question I have is what do you (MSFC member) think defines as a planet?
I myself think 12 is a little high. As stated here -
The definition entirely misses the key element of a solar system object, namely its role in the formation of the solar system," Charbonneau said. "There are eight fully formed planets. The other objects-Ceres, Pluto, Charon, [2003 UB313], and hundreds of thousands of others, are the fascinating byproducts of the formation of these eight planets."
I think Pluto should be left on the map as a planet, just because it's been there for so long in the schools. But it needs to be redefined as "An example" of "post planetary development" Such objects should be called "planetoids" or something similar.
So, What do you think?