Reply
Thu 24 Aug, 2006 08:46 am
A great surorise this afternoon: instead of having to learn now 12 planets, as everyone thought, we now can forget one:
Quote:Pluto loses planet status
Thu Aug 24, 2006
PRAGUE (Reuters) - Scientists from around the world on Thursday approved a new definition of a planet, downgrading Pluto's status to leave just eight classical planets.
After a heated debate, 2,500 scientists and astronomers voted at the International Astronomers Union General Assembly that Pluto, which has been called a planet since being discovered in 1930, would be put into a category of planets called "dwarf planets".
Source
Oh, it happened?!
I'm surprised, I thought they'd include Xena or whatever it's called rather than excluding Pluto.
Aw.
Poor Pluto.
The only criterion is the size?
Last year when I was in England I read an article on Guardian concerning this issue. I remember at that time the status of Plato had been already questioned.
Some more answers here, by Cornell University:
What makes a planet?
Atronomy, yeah! The most exciting science apart from psychology!
What did Pluto do wrong?
I wonder what Pluto did wrong to get kicked out of the club?
I know... I bet that Pluto Mooned Uranus
How old are these planets? Maybe according to their age, Pluto was
sacked!
I think Pluto is being discriminated against! It's like saying you have to be a certain size to be considered human! Pluto must be embarrassed at this indignity! A planet chould be judged on the content of its character and not on its size! Let's stand up for the little planets and let them know they are wanted! Don't let them feel like outcasts! WHO'S WITH ME???
pretty funny.
On a serious note, though, there's quite a bit of talk that this is anti-American lashback. The only planet discovered by an American and they're trying or have succeeded in discrediting it.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace