- #61
tribdog
- 768
- 17
mine's not, don't know about yours
Click For Summary
Leading astronomers have officially redefined the criteria for classifying planets, resulting in Pluto being demoted from its status as the ninth planet in the solar system to a "dwarf planet." This decision, made during the International Astronomical Union's General Assembly in Prague, has sparked significant debate and controversy among both scientists and the public. Critics argue that the new classification is unwise and may impact fields like astrology, while supporters believe it provides a clearer understanding of celestial bodies based on their physical characteristics and orbits. The new definition states that a planet must clear its orbital neighborhood, a criterion Pluto does not meet due to its shared space with other objects in the Kuiper Belt. This change has raised questions about the implications for future discoveries and the need for potential updates to educational materials, as well as discussions about the nature of celestial classification itself. The debate continues over whether the decision serves a scientific purpose or is merely a semantic issue.
- #62
EL
Science Advisor
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You know Myanus is not a planet...
- #63
DaveC426913
Gold Member
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It's a black hole.
- #64
EL
Science Advisor
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Since if you're trapped you won't get out...?
- #65
JamesU
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DaveC426913 said:
- #66
Jimmy Snyder
- 1,122
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- #67
BobG
Science Advisor
- 352
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Are we being just a bit geocentric about the Solar System?
http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/jumpstart/archive/jumpstart-20070107.html
Such bad puns can't be ignored.
http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/jumpstart/archive/jumpstart-20070107.html
Such bad puns can't be ignored.
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- #68
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"Plutoed" chosen 2006 word of the year
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/16405925.htm"
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/16405925.htm"
"Plutoed" was chosen 2006 Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society at its annual meeting on Friday.
To "pluto" is "to demote or devalue someone or something" much like what happened to the former planet last year when the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union decided Pluto didn't meet its definition of a planet.
To "pluto" is "to demote or devalue someone or something" much like what happened to the former planet last year when the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union decided Pluto didn't meet its definition of a planet.
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- #69
BobG
Science Advisor
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D H said:
That has such a nice ring to it, it really adds to the list of possible phrases:
"This is the hardest thing a manager has to do..."
"We've decided to use you as our on-call busboy." (How my first ever real job ended).
"You remember what happened to Pluto? When you think about it, that wasn't so bad, and now that you mention it..."
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- #70
verty
Homework Helper
- 2,190
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So I guess that probe flying in space somewhere showing 9 planets is obsolete...