[meteorite-list] OT: HOW MANY PLANETS?

From: Chris Peterson <clp_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Aug 3 19:27:24 2005
Message-ID: <001601c59882$dd74d8c0$f551040a_at_bellatrix>

And one other way... they can simply refuse to define "planet at all", since
there is no need to do so. But that would be too simple.

Chris

*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Baalke" <baalke_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>
To: "Meteorite Mailing List" <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] OT: HOW MANY PLANETS?


>> The IAU and astronomy generally have a dilemma,
>> though. How can you say that the massive 2003UB313 is NOT
>> a planet when the smaller Pluto IS?
>
> I can think of two ways. I think the object orbit's should be
> a factor in defining a planet. 2003 UB313 is inclined at 44 degrees,
> so if you exclude object above 20 degrees inclination, then Pluto
> would be in and 2003 UB313 is out.
>
> Another way is just make Pluto an exception to the rule, and have
> it retain its planetary status. We have precedences for this. A platypus
> lays eggs, but is still considered a mammal. Europa and Asia
> are considered separate continents even though they are a single
> combined land mass.
Received on Wed 03 Aug 2005 07:27:06 PM PDT