Eris is slightly larger than Kuiper Belt Object Pluto. Any chance of becaming a planet?
2006-10-13 08:45:26 · 6 answers · asked by the.night.stalker1 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Probably not, since Eris has also not 'cleared its neighborhood.'
You can read more about the new definition for 'planet' here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet
2006-10-13 08:50:06 · answer #1 · answered by icez 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According the International Space Agency definition of what a planet it Eris and Pluto will be called Minor Planets. The other 8 planets will be called major planets. I hope this helps.
2006-10-13 15:54:10 · answer #2 · answered by MightyRighty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eris will stay as the dwarf planet because it has failed to qualify for planet status because:
It has not cleared of its orbits of other objects.
2006-10-13 16:29:57 · answer #3 · answered by Feckpot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. Although personnally I think Pluto will eventually get its status back, Eris is too new, too small, too distant to consider it a full planet.
At least it has a real name now, instead of that moronic "Xena" chosen by the ubergeek.
2006-10-13 16:38:50 · answer #4 · answered by ZenPenguin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. It won't be a planet for the same reason Pluto is no longer a planet - neither has swept its orbit clear of other junk.
2006-10-13 15:51:23 · answer #5 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. It is not enough like the other planets.
2006-10-13 15:51:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋