Pluto isn't what it used to be....

Post by **Taurec** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:52 pm

Pluto was discovered in 1930 as a result of an extensive search by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. Some astronomers have long argued that Pluto's small size, less than one-fifth the diameter of Earth, and a weird tilted orbit that takes it inside Neptune every couple hundred years make Pluto more like a Kuiper Belt body than a full-fledged planet. On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union passed a new definition of planet that excludes Pluto and puts it in a new category of "dwarf planet."

Think about the amount of pricy schoolbooks / encyclopedias that have to be reprinted.
I think this is the result of the publishers industry lobby to make more cash....

Miz~Chidori · Post by **Miz~Chidori** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:47 pm

Totally agree with you there.

It can't become theory until its proven several times. Prove to me the diameter is fitting of a "dwarf-label" planet infinately many times and I might consider upgrading my texts.

Pyrite · Post by **Pyrite** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:15 am

To be picky, you can't "prove" that Pluto's not a dwarf planet, simply because you're changing the definition itself. All it has to do is to fit the new criteria, as contrived as it might be, and you're set. (On that note, what's the status of that new 10th planet again?)

Weltall Elite · Post by **Weltall Elite** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 3:10 pm

Aren't they up to like 12 now?

HELLFIRE · Post by **HELLFIRE** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:28 pm

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine...

...euh, now that mnemonic doesn't work any more

Regards

Circle · Post by **Circle** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:18 am

9 is such a nice number, why'd they have to ruin it.

I hate how publishers love to do new editions and get schools to adopt them as "required" text. First I bought them used from school's bookstore, next I started buying them used from individuals, then I bought the international-paperback versions off ebay. But eventually I realized how I don't even read my textbooks (most of my classes can be studied with just notes, and borrow the book from library/friends); so I stopped buying textbooks all together.

Dark-oneechan · Post by **Dark-oneechan** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:12 pm

Weltall Elite wrote:Aren't they up to like 12 now?

8 planets and three dwarf planets. Ceres, Pluto and 2003 UB313.

Personally I'm all for an 8 planet system. It *&^% up the little kids in the head.

terran empire · Post by **terran empire** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:56 pm

the Speach George Doub-yah Bush had written when he was told Pluto was no longer a planet. wrote: “My fellow Americans today the planet Pluto was destroyed by the terrorists. We must stand together with our friends the brave people of Pluto and never forget the villainous attack of the Martian members of al-Qaeda. We must stand firm and hold the course the forces of right will be victorious and the forces of wrong will falter. Let the call go forth like when the spanish attacked the state of Maine Remember PLUTO that poor dog. Thank you and god bless America.” Geroge W. Bush

I want 13 planets my self. though they sould all have names not numbers...

pilot03 · Post by **pilot03** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:18 pm

That was priceless!