Science said there are 9 planets. So with Chiron legally being a
planet now. Plutos got to go. Because science says there can only be 9. RIGHT!
2006-09-20 15:03:22 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Much to my surprise, the International Astronomical Union has indeed voted on a resolution that defines exactly what a planet is and Pluto no longer qualifies. This means that Pluto is indeed not a planet any more and that our solar system no longer has the nine planets I learned about as a kid, but only eight!
Don't worry, though, Pluto is now to be known as a dwarf planet, so it's not been completely ejected from our solar system, just relabeled. The eight planets in our solar system are now, in order from the Sun outwards, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
As The Planetary Society explains, "a “planet” is now 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 neighborhood around its orbit."
"A dwarf planet, according to the new definition, 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."
Got it?
There are now three dwarf planets in our solar system, so Pluto isn't alone. It's joined by the asteroids Ceres and Xena (aka UB313), though more than a dozen are on the IAU's dwarf planet watch list, if you can believe it.
One key reason that Pluto has been given the boot is because its orbit is not in the same ecliptic plane as the rest of the planets and isn't circular as are the planets, but is rather "eccentric". Indeed, at certain points in its orbit, Pluto is actually closer to the sun than Neptune.
2006-09-21 14:50:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, they are planning to name over 300 planets, over the next few years. My only problem with the whole situation is that they've taken away Pluto's name, and given it a number. Why is this necessary? Were they afraid it would have to much recognition, and lead a rebellion?
2006-09-20 22:40:12 · answer #2 · answered by mctfelton 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reason for pluto leaving was because it "piggy backed" on Uranus' orbit around the sun. For it to be considered a planet it needs its own orbit. As for the number of planets, scientist still have to debate that; the last number I heard was 12.
2006-09-20 22:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by DK 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What exactly is your point? Pluto didn't go anywhere. Nothing has changed with regard to our knowledge of Pluto, just it's classification. You're trying to force some sort of "gotcha" out of the change when there is none.
2006-09-20 22:10:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Science said nothing about there only being nine planets. There were only nine discovered, but this does not imply that there cannot be any more.
2006-09-20 22:08:53 · answer #5 · answered by Rinoa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wait... so what do athiests have to do with Pluto?
2006-09-20 22:12:19 · answer #6 · answered by Mandi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You sound over excited; but what about?
2006-09-21 01:31:59 · answer #7 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's not what it says in the bible
2006-09-21 02:52:51 · answer #8 · answered by acid tongue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋