Pluto is a Plutoid

[silverscreenselect]

The International Astronomical Union has now decided to classify the no-longer planet Pluto, as a plutoid, which is a newly coined term to describe astronomical bodies that are, well, like Pluto.

In essence the term applies to bodies that orbit the sun outside of Neptune's orbit that are nearly spherical in shape but that still have a lot of other debris floating around them. Therefore, the traditional asteroids are not plutoids since they are between Mars and Jupiter. The only other known plutoid is Eris, whose discovery in 2005 led to the declassification of Pluto as a planet.

This decision was not favorably received by many of the astronomers, who feel that it will need to be further refined or discarded. However, by designating Pluto as a plutoid instead of merely miscellaneous space debris, it allows astronomers to refer to Pluto (and Eris as well) by a name, rather than merely giving it a numerical designation.

http://tinyurl.com/5pp4af

[nitrah55]

So, does that explain why he can't talk and Goofy can?

[gsabc]

So, does that explain why he can't talk and Goofy can?

Reminded me of a song I heard over the weekend by a guy named Red Peters: "You Promised the Moon, But I Preferred Uranus."

[silvercamaro]

So, does that explain why he can't talk and Goofy can?

Reminded me of a song I heard over the weekend by a guy named Red Peters: "You Promised the Moon, But I Preferred Uranus."

You were searching for something special for the DJ to play at the wedding reception, perhaps?

[VAdame]

So what are Sedna & Quaoar then???

[gsabc]

So, does that explain why he can't talk and Goofy can?

Reminded me of a song I heard over the weekend by a guy named Red Peters: "You Promised the Moon, But I Preferred Uranus."

You were searching for something special for the DJ to play at the wedding reception, perhaps?

No, I would rather survive the day, thank you. LOL

Peters was on a local radio show promoting a nearby appearance.

[andrewjackson]

So what are Sedna & Quaoar then???

I think they are still just Trans-Neptunian objects. I don't think they can be Plutoids until it is determined that they are definitely spherical. They could be classified as Plutoids if that happens.

There are actually several more objects that have been found that are bigger than Quaoar. 2003 EL61 (aka "Santa"), 2005 FY9 (aka "Easter Bunny"), and Orcus are all somewhere in size between Quaoar and Eris.

[Vandal]

Maybe not for long.

According to this article, the discussion continues.

Harvard science historian Owen Gingerich, who chairs the IAU planet definition committee, argued at a forum last month that "a planet is a culturally defined word that changes over time," and that Pluto is a planet.

But then again:

Another expert, Gareth Williams, associate director of the IAU's Minor Planet Center, said that Pluto is not a planet, citing the official definition, which states that a planet is a celestial body that:

• is in orbit around the Sun,

• is round or nearly round, and

• has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit, meaning it is not surrounded by objects of similar size and characteristics.

Williams said Pluto failed on that third qualification, since it had several other "dwarf planets" near it and also overlaps Neptune's orbit at times.

[SpacemanSpiff]

So, does that explain why he can't talk and Goofy can?

As the late Robin Williams said (in his Mork from Ork persona), "don't go to Pluto. It's a Mickey Mouse planet."

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

Not working for me

My reaction "I went to the doctor and he removed a plutoid from my ______"

[jarnon]

Since they can't invent a reasonable definition of planet that includes Pluto but not any of those other objects, the next best thing is to name a class of heavenly bodies after Pluto.

[littlebeast13]

So, does that explain why he can't talk and Goofy can?

As the late Robin Williams said (in his Mork from Ork persona), "don't go to Pluto. It's a Mickey Mouse planet."

It isn't often that someone who hasn't posted in 3 and a half years gets replied to!

lb13

[Beebs52]

Since they can't invent a reasonable definition of planet that includes Pluto but not any of those other objects, the next best thing is to name a class of heavenly bodies after Pluto.

The Plutonic Ideal...

[Bob78164]

Maybe not for long.

According to this article, the discussion continues.

Harvard science historian Owen Gingerich, who chairs the IAU planet definition committee, argued at a forum last month that "a planet is a culturally defined word that changes over time," and that Pluto is a planet.

But then again:

Another expert, Gareth Williams, associate director of the IAU's Minor Planet Center, said that Pluto is not a planet, citing the official definition, which states that a planet is a celestial body that:

• is in orbit around the Sun,

• is round or nearly round, and

• has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit, meaning it is not surrounded by objects of similar size and characteristics.

Williams said Pluto failed on that third qualification, since it had several other "dwarf planets" near it and also overlaps Neptune's orbit at times.

That last part isn't really true. When you take orbital inclination into account, Pluto's orbit doesn't come anywhere near Neptune's orbit. --Bob