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 15:05:27 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
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 14:50:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science never said there can only be nine planets. Where did you get that notion? Up until recently, Pluto was the only large orbiting body seen that far out, so it was considered a planet. The advent of new technology has allowed us to look further, and now we see that there are more objects like Pluto, so it was time to reconsider exactly what constitutes a "planet." I think the new definition will hold up pretty well.
2006-09-20 22:12:19 · answer #2 · answered by Steve H 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hey im an atheist. Pluto isnt a planet. I guess i missed a question on my second grade science test!! haha
2006-09-20 22:13:18 · answer #3 · answered by clap your hands 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Science is a methodology; it does not " say " any thing. Think before you type.
2006-09-20 22:15:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pluto is a planet, its a DWARF PLANET!!!!
2006-09-20 22:15:20 · answer #5 · answered by 345Grasshopper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
scientists never said there can only be 9! you dont know what ur talking about, no offense
2006-09-20 22:13:43 · answer #6 · answered by HEADbanded 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what the fuss is! just stop whining, all of you!
2006-09-20 22:14:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you forget, athiests, don't care what you think!
2006-09-20 22:13:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you have any idea how stupid you sound?
2006-09-20 22:12:46 · answer #9 · answered by Carolina Kitten 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋