2006-08-31 19:58:41 · 14 answers · asked by Myrns 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The phrase is discriminating AGAINST it,
Because it was felt to be too small, it was smaller than our Moon, Neptune's biggest moon, Saturn's biggest moon and the 4 biggest moons of Jupiter.
It was also smaller than Xena one of the 3 candidates for planetary status at the IAU meeting. If Pluto remained a planet, then the case for Xena being a planet became unanswerable. The probem then was that there were other Kuiper Belt Objects with as good a claim as Xena and Pluto, so where did you draw the line?
The IAU grasped the nettle and drew a line between major and minor planets with Pluto and Xena in the second division.
They did this once before and demoted Ceres Vesta Pallas and Juno from planetary status to asteroid status in the mid-19th Century because they too were felt to be too small and large numbers of new asteroids were found starting in 1845, By 1868 the number had grown to over 100.
100 planets would have been silly and so they defined a new category to prevent that happening, Which is what they just did last week too.
Today we know of 350,000 or so asteroids so its a good thing they did create a new category.
How much longer were they to wait before acting? We already know of over 800 KBOs having discovered these all in the last 14 years.
Basically they feared the thin end of a nasty wedge, Can you blame them?
2006-08-31 20:49:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
The IAU members gathered at the 2006 General Assembly agreed that a "planet" is defined as 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 neighbourhood around its orbit.
This means that the Solar System consists of eight "planets" Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. A new distinct class of objects called "dwarf planets" was also decided. It was agreed that "planets" and "dwarf planets" are two distinct classes of objects. The first members of the "dwarf planet" category are Ceres, Pluto and 2003 UB313 (temporary name). More "dwarf planets" are expected to be announced by the IAU in the coming months and years. Currently a dozen candidate "dwarf planets" are listed on IAU's "dwarf planet" watchlist, which keeps changing as new objects are found and the physics of the existing candidates becomes better known.
The "dwarf planet" Pluto is recognised as an important proto-type of a new class of trans-Neptunian objects. The IAU will set up a process to name these objects.
2006-08-31 20:05:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
well, the planetary science folks are taking a bold step: they are preparing for the future by try to eliminate the human prejudice of keeping a once established notion held by humans that has, as we become better informed about the universe and it's make up, proven erroneous. we must refine our definitions so that future generations communicate more precicely. the notion that Pluto was a 'planet' caught on because c. taumbaugh used some clever science to know where to look for a body of some mass value, and at the time it seemed like magic....to the general population. this caliber of science is becoming more common to the everyday man, so the magic is gone, and Pluto is stripped of it's pseudo reverence; and with good solid science as a guide, not some romantic, misplaced human emotion.
2006-08-31 23:36:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The decision was taken at an assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), world’s top astronomical body.
Its tiny size and highly eccentric orbit precluded it from joining the other acknowledged planets.
Pluto’s orbit was oblong, sending it soaring well above and beyond the main plane of the solar system where earth and other planets circle the sun.
The judging criteria: Object must orbit a star but must not itself a star. Object must have enough mass to make it a roughly spherical shape.
2006-08-31 22:30:43 · answer #4 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You see if pluto had remained a full planet then the other two "new planets" would have to be called planets as well because one of them is bigger than pluto. So to avoid calling the other new "planet" a planet, Pluto had a be relegated from the Premium League.
2006-08-31 20:05:13 · answer #5 · answered by SAREK 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They said that Pluto has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit. I don't agree though. And they should also make Xena a planet.
2006-08-31 21:29:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if they had allowed Pluto to keep planet status they would have had to make many more planets Since Pluto is so small and dead they decided to downgrade it and its moon Chiron to dwarf planet status.
2006-08-31 20:07:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Becasue they never got close enough to it to feel small themselves... Seriously, I think it's a scientist's war as well... and depending on which side wins for the following decade, that's what they call it... and change names and labels here'n there, to show the others (the losers) who's boss... Really!
2006-08-31 20:05:10 · answer #8 · answered by Pivoine 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they're redefining what they call a "planet" due mostly to the new findings in the outer solar system..
im surprised though how many people are really offended by this, and taking it very personally
2006-08-31 20:05:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe people of note and value were / are planning a visit .You do not believe me ?
2006-08-31 20:08:26 · answer #10 · answered by skeetejacquelinelightersnumber7 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋