2006-08-16 08:24:28 · 17 answers · asked by robbo 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Planet
2006-08-16 08:30:09 · answer #1 · answered by pta4life 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Pluto cant be a moon as it has to go around a planet in the first place. It may be a comet but I doubt we will find out the real answer until a good few years.
2006-08-16 08:31:43 · answer #2 · answered by Gar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither, really. It was considered a planet when it was discovered but has since been shown to be most likely a Kuiper Belt object somehow diverted into an orbit that brings it into the area of planetary orbits. (The Kuiper Belt is a region of small icy bodies out past the planetary orbits, other objects similar in size and composition to Pluto have been discovered there in recent years.)
2006-08-16 08:33:35 · answer #3 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
scientists are still debating becasue there are several reasons for each point. i think more and more people are starting to believe its not a planet for several reasons. heres a couple that i can remember:
- if it was v. close to the sun it would turn into a comet
- it has a v. elliptical orbit
- it is in a twin orbit with its moon, Charon
i still reckon its a planet - but i think you just have to make up your mind really
2006-08-18 02:44:31 · answer #4 · answered by FreakGirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect that when the scientists get through with their brain bending, that they will announce a new classification; something along the lines of "planetoids" or "planetesimals" I imagine.
Anything that is not a moon and too large to be an asteroid or comet, yet too small to be a planet will be thrown into this category.
2006-08-16 08:36:02 · answer #5 · answered by sparc77 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is now a Pluton, a new category of planet along with Xena, and Ceres (the largest asteroid). So there are now the eight classical planets, and these first of a new breed. There are millions more out there in the Kuyper Belt, let alone what we will eventually discover in the Oort Cloud.
2006-08-16 22:24:40 · answer #6 · answered by los 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a planet. A moon would revolve around a planet.
2006-08-16 08:43:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a planet until it orbits a larger one than it can be a Moon. Perhaps it was a moon at one time anyway. How about a planetary moon?
2006-08-16 08:33:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto is a planet, with 3 small moons..
--Rob :)
2006-08-16 08:38:37 · answer #9 · answered by stealth_n700ms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a planet if it is rounded like earth, if not its a large asteroid that is in VERY irregular orbit aroound the sun. I also think the ceres one is just a asteroid or piece of rock as well, something thats only 500 miles across is too small to be a planet i think.
2006-08-16 09:33:53 · answer #10 · answered by wave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋