2006-08-27 04:35:52 · 14 answers · asked by Axel ∇ 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
the international astronomical union has defined three new terms.
(1) A classical planet is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.
(2) A dwarf planet is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, (c) has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.
(3) All other objects orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar System Bodies".
this means that bodies such as ceres, pluto, and 2003 UB313 are classified as "dwarf planets" because they orbit the sun with a bunch of other similar bodies with similar orbits. most don't seem to be aware of the new term "classical planet". mercury, venus, earth, mars, jupiter, saturn, uranus, and neptune are classical planets.
i feel somewhat vindicated. i have known since i was about twelve that pluto does not have the physical and orbital characteristics that fit the pattern set by the major bodies in the solar system. later, after the discovery of hundreds of other similar bodies, i knew this was inevitable. this corrects the mistake of classifying pluto as a planet initially. this does not change anything about the solar system or pluto.
2006-08-27 07:09:14 · answer #1 · answered by warm soapy water 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
On August 24, 2006, the IAU (International Astronomical Union) recclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet.
Acording to Wikipedia, under current events, dwarf planets "are objects which orbit the Sun and are round by self-gravity, yet have not cleared the neighborhood around their orbits."
2006-08-27 04:48:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pluto was the smallest planet in our solar system, but there are several othe objects in the outer Kuiper belt (a belt of icy asteroids at the outer fringes of the solar system) that happen to be larger than pluto hence scientists believe that if Pluto is considered to be a planet then these object too will have to be called planets. Thus they came up to a standard size, for planets limiting the solar system to 8 planets.
Pluto was also a 'weird' planet because its orbit is unlike that of any other planet, tilted and as a result crossing that of neptune at times. These and several other lesser reasons have led scientists to rename it a 'dwarf planet'.
2006-08-27 04:47:30 · answer #3 · answered by skae 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they think Pluto is to small and that Eight planets is enough. They said that Pluto is out of the range of where the other planets are and that Pluto has only went around the Sun a couple of times.
2006-08-27 04:39:53 · answer #4 · answered by mystery_girl_renee 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's considered a dwarf planet. Because it's orbit crosses that of Neptune. It was really a stupid idea to change it. It doesn't orbit a planet, so it's not a natural satellite, but it's smaller than the earth's moon. So now that scientists have rewritten the definition, we've got something like 200 more "potential" planets...
2006-08-27 04:39:14 · answer #5 · answered by ray of sunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Pluto
A Dwarf Planet
2006-08-27 04:37:14 · answer #6 · answered by Suicidal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dwarf planet. It would be a planet, only it hasn't cleared the area around its orbit (the orbit is too big and Pluto is too small).
2006-08-27 04:36:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They named it a dwarf planet.
2006-08-27 04:41:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a dwarf planet.
2006-08-27 05:07:32 · answer #9 · answered by Krissy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have labeled it a dwarf planet.
2006-08-27 04:38:09 · answer #10 · answered by pinkdeck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋