Maybe Earth is not a planet either?
2006-09-03 13:53:31 · 13 answers · asked by Anthony E 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
the international astronomical union defined three terms "planet", "dwarf planet", and "small solar system body". this does not change anything about the solar system or pluto. this doesn't change pluto's name. it just corrects the mistake of classifying pluto as a planet initially. this was the right thing to do, believe me. i have been waiting for this since i was about twelve.
because mercury, venus, earth, mars, jupiter, saturn, uranus, and neptune orbit the sun, are round, have isolated orbits they are planets.
because pluto orbits the sun, is round, does not have an isolated orbit, and is not a satellite it is a dwarf planet. a bunch of similar bodies have similar orbits to the orbit of pluto.
(1) A "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".
look here:
http://www.iau2006.org/mirror/www.iau.org/iau0603/index.html
2006-09-03 14:25:11 · answer #1 · answered by warm soapy water 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What next? Hopefully people move on and stop asking about it.
I suppose I could link to the rules for being considered a planet one more time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_redefinition_of_planet
The Earth is quite certainly a planet by these rules... the moon, oddly enough, is the closest to the boundary of being called a planet by these rules... but that has to do with center of mass and it's orbit around the Earth. It's still a natural satallite and not a planet... but just barely.
2006-09-04 00:23:09 · answer #2 · answered by iMi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was a dumb thing to do in my opinion seeing as a moon is something which orbits around a planet and the sun is DEFINITELY not a planet, but even if it was, there are the other planets which would be made into moons as well.
2006-09-03 21:18:19 · answer #3 · answered by I shan't say. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going to the Supreme Court!
Scientists around the world have REBELLED against their own government and are demanding a re-count.
I still want to know what makes 5 mile, irrgularly shaped and 10 mile irreguarly shaped Phobos and Demos moons!
Everyone is sure they are trapped asteroids!
That doesn't make them moons!
If it does then a COMET is a planet!
Then all the big Asteroids are Planets!
2006-09-04 00:48:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who said Earth is a planet? The Universe revolves around the earth. :)
2006-09-03 20:55:57 · answer #5 · answered by worldneverchanges 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ha ha.. pluto is just to small to be considered a planet. it was either get rid of it or add like 5 others..
2006-09-03 20:57:56 · answer #6 · answered by miss miss 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh, I thought Pluto was Micky's dog.
Just kidding. Pluto is a 'Dwarf Planet' cuz it is just too small.
;-D Arf!
2006-09-03 23:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by China Jon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the sun IS a planet
2006-09-03 20:56:02 · answer #8 · answered by ineedanswers 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jupter is next, because it is to large to be a planet
2006-09-03 23:13:39 · answer #9 · answered by dam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL!! No EARTH IS NOT a planet.
2006-09-03 20:54:52 · answer #10 · answered by Marlboro Hamster 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋