Ever wondered why Pluto is no longer a planet? I know I have. Ever since I was old enough to go to school I was taught that there were 9 planets in the solar system, but now there are only 8. How can this be? Well, it seems that scientists had a meeting in Prague, in the Czech Republic to discuss what constitutes a "planet." By the end of it they had conjured up a new definition for the term, and Pluto just didn't cut it and was dubbed a dwarf planet. In recent years more Pluto-sized objects have been discovered just outside the orbit: forty-four to be exact and still counting!
The debate was centered on whether to consider these objects planets, and keep on expanding our solar system or simply reconsider the characteristics a body must have to be classified as a planet. The term planet is now defined as a body large enough to become round due to the force of gravity, and having the capability to dominate the neighborhood around its orbit. Pluto's size is small in comparison to other planets, and its moon is about half its size while all "true" planets are larger than their moons. In addition, Pluto doesn't dominate since there are plenty of debris that crosses its path without being swept up by it.
So long Pluto...
Have you read Mike Brown's book, "How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming"?!?
ReplyDeleteIt's really good. There was a fair amount of politics involved in the whole fiasco and Brown is really funny.
You should check it out. :)
The title of the book sounds oddly familiar. Sounds like a good read during spring break:) There is one I haven't had the chance to finish reading called "Death by Black Hole" by Neil DeGrasse. You might like this book too because the author is also quite funny, and makes it all seem interesting:)
ReplyDeleteA lot of people do not understand why Pluto was demoted in the first place, so it's refreshing to see when people do understand the reason behind it's demotion to dwarf planet.
DeleteNew Horizons will finally give us images of Pluto. In fact, it was recently discovered that it may have two moons orbiting around it. I haven't been this excited since I bought myself a copy of Disturbed's first album!
I have many hypotheses regarding the origins of Pluto. Hopefully this will finally shed some light onto one of the more mysterious objects in our solar system. I've been waiting about ten whole years to see the first images of Pluto... I can't wait!
I must correct myself here... By recently discovered, I meant to say back in 2005. I should watch how I word my sentences. Language barrier be damned >.<
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