I find it hilarious that a creator god is called make-make.
Pluto to regain status as ninth planet...?
- Thread starter Candlelight
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the pronounciation is approximately "mah-keh mah-keh"
Yup, and so much for the five moons argument. I mean Charon is obviousy a mass-relay-turned-icicle.
Fans of sci-fi shows which constantly refer to our solar system as having nine planets, will just have to wait until a rogue interstellar orphan wanders in too close. Possibly from another galaxy entirely.
In theory, how much notice would we have that Nibiru is heading our way?
In theory, how much notice would we have that Nibiru is heading our way?
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Now, that's just Goofy.
It would be funny if those two moons on the right were called Hix and Pix.
While I understand why this was done in the first place, I just wish the IAU would settle on what constitutes being a planet. I feel that astronomically, it should still be a planet, even if the meaning has changed.
My Dad actually met Clyde Tombaugh in the 80's.
My Dad actually met Clyde Tombaugh in the 80's.
Well, until recently, we didn't have much evidence of planets orbiting other stars. Given that we only really have our own solar system to go on, it stands to reason that definitions might change as we continue to learn more.
I just know that it will be a victory for my childhood if Pluto becomes a planet again.
Where are Alvin & Dave??? 
Where are Alvin & Dave???
^ Yay! Someone got my joke! I kill me. 
There is a Dinosaur by the name of Brontomerus (Thunder Thighs), though.
Isn't the controversy precisely because they have settled on what is a planet, but some people dislike the definition?
Anyway, why is there no love for Ceres? Everyone talks about Pluto getting "demoted" from Planet to Dwarf Planet. However, Ceres got demoted from planet all the way to freakin' asteroid. The creation of the classification of Dwarf Planet allowed Ceres to regain some of its former planetary glory.
Uh, it reminds me of a girl I knew once.
To be completely honest, there are some issues with the definitions adopted by the IAU. It is badly worded, at least. (By definition, dwarf planets are not considered planets -- while dwarf stars and dwarf galaxies are obviously considered stars and galaxies respectively; the meaning of "clearing the orbital neighbourhood" is not clearly defined; etc.) As with anything resulting from a negotiate and a compromise, it's not perfect, but it works pretty well in the context it's used. In fact, most of the critiques are actually semantic arguments dressed up as scientific debate, and they stem from nostalgia instead of actual astronomical concerns.
Because most people do not care about actual astronomy, they only care about what they learned in elementary school and don't want it to change. How dare actual astronomers mess with stuff I learned in a book when I was 7? The gall of some people!
They should all be promoted to planet now! Except Haumea, it looks like a bad egg.
Just now, on this thread, I finally keep that avatar from distracting my attention towards it, 
and then you bring it up again?!? 
Your cheque is in the mail, Deckerd.
To be completely honest, there are some issues with the definitions adopted by the IAU. It is badly worded, at least. (By definition, dwarf planets are not considered planets -- while dwarf stars and dwarf galaxies are obviously considered stars and galaxies respectively; the meaning of "clearing the orbital neighbourhood" is not clearly defined; etc.) As with anything resulting from a negotiate and a compromise, it's not perfect, but it works pretty well in the context it's used. In fact, most of the critiques are actually semantic arguments dressed up as scientific debate, and they stem from nostalgia instead of actual astronomical concerns.
Because most people do not care about actual astronomy, they only care about what they learned in elementary school and don't want it to change. How dare actual astronomers mess with stuff I learned in a book when I was 7? The gall of some people!
Apparently Ceres is both an asteroid and a dwarf planet. Maybe Pluto should apply to become an asteroid. They're a more welcoming group than those snobbish planets.
Am I the only person who thinks the definition of moon needs to be changed so any random rock that goes too close to Jupiter doesn't become a moon? The most obvious definition I can think of (being round as opposed to irregularly shaped) would probably exclude some popular moons like Phobos and Deimos, though.
I support making a distinction between "moons" (enough mass to achieve hidrostatic equilibrium, i.e. become almost spherical) and mere "natural satellites". It would "demote" a whole bunch of objects from moons to satellites, but I got no problem with that.
Of course, there will be people who will cry and whine and wear T-shirts with "Phobos and Deimos ARE moons!!!11!!!!eleven!!" written all over them.
A couple of quick questions that some with more knowledge than me might be able to answer
1) I believe that Pluto's moons all have a retrograde orbit. Do any other moons in the solar system have a retrograde orbit?
And 2) could its moon's retrograde orbits have any bearing on whether Pluto is considered a planet or not?
Edited to add - Does Pluto itself have a retrograde orbit?
1) I believe that Pluto's moons all have a retrograde orbit. Do any other moons in the solar system have a retrograde orbit?
And 2) could its moon's retrograde orbits have any bearing on whether Pluto is considered a planet or not?
Edited to add - Does Pluto itself have a retrograde orbit?
True enough. I'll give you that
But it's like Iguana said. The definitions themselves are a bit convoluted.
There are several other moons with retrograde orbit. Neptune's moon Triton has a retrograde orbit and scientists think it's actually a captured Kuiper object. Triton will eventually get to close to Neptune and be torn apart and then Neptune will have a ring system like Saturn.
Pluto's orbital plane is highly elliptic, at times above and below the orbital plane of the rest of the planets. Pluto's orbit at times swings inside Neptune and way out into the Kuiper belt.
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