Link

 

RAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) -- Leading astronomers declared Thursday that Pluto is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight.After a tumultuous week of clashing over the essence of the cosmos, the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of the planetary status it has held since its discovery in 1930.

 

The new definition of what is -- and isn't -- a planet fills a centuries-old black hole for scientists who have labored since Copernicus without one.

 

Pluto is no stranger to controversy. In fact, it's been dogged by disputes ever since its discovery. (Watch why some think planet size doesn't matter -- 3:39)

So did they change the planetary definition again? I wonder what the new one is?

So did they change the planetary definition again? I wonder what the new one is?

 

But in the 1990s, more powerful telescopes revealed numerous bodies similar to Pluto in the neighborhood. New observations also showed that Pluto's orbit was oblong, sending it soaring well above and beyond the main plane of the solar system where Earth and the other seven planets circle the sun.

 

That prompted some galactic grumbling from astronomers who began openly attacking Pluto's planethood.

This is going to crush their tourist industry

 

In a related report, Jason's girlfriends applied the same logic and decided he has no penis.

So did they change the planetary definition again? I wonder what the new one is?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_redefini...inal_definition

The final definition, as passed on 24 August 2006 is A planet is a celestial body that: (a) is in orbit around the Sun, b. has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and © has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

 

A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that: (a) is in orbit around the Sun, b. has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, © has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

 

Pluto is a "dwarf planet" by the above definition and is recognized as the prototype of a new category of Trans-Neptunian objects. All other objects, except satellites, orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar System Bodies".

Edited August 24, 200619 yr by Athomeboy_2000

Poor Pluto! Pluto, you will always be a "real" planet in my books !

Clearing out the Hill Sphere as a definition, haven't heard that one before, I like it. Good stuff.

...and in other news today...it was announced that the ACLU has filed suit in federal court on Pluto's behalf to keep it's 'planet' status. In a statement issued today the ACLU stated that it can't believe that in this day and age that size still matters.

 

...and in other news today...it was announced that the ACLU has filed suit in federal court on Pluto's behalf to keep it's 'planet' status. In a statement issued today the ACLU stated that it can't believe that in this day and age that size still matters.

 

 

QOTY!!!!

BIG BULLIES!!!!!!!!!!!

...and in other news today...it was announced that the ACLU has filed suit in federal court on Pluto's behalf to keep it's 'planet' status. In a statement issued today the ACLU stated that it can't believe that in this day and age that size still matters.

 

 

better start printing up those new science textbooks

better start printing up those new science textbooks

 

I just hope they didn't start last week...

better start printing up those new science textbooks

 

That's what I was thinking. I'll bet Kansas will insist on versions with nine planets like God intended.

What was the thing that helped kids remember the planets?

 

I remember learning it by some sentence about pickles,

What was the thing that helped kids remember the planets?

 

I remember learning it by some sentence about pickles,

My Very Excited Mother Just Served Us Nine... no longer Pizzas

My Very Excited Mother Just Served Us Nine... no longer Pizzas

My very enranged mother just shot us nine.

Edited August 24, 200619 yr by Balta1701

My Very Excited Mother Just Served Us Nine... no longer Pizzas

 

now all we need is to get rid of neptune and then that saying goes hip.

Ummmm. .... What else are they going to change?

I thought they just added 3 planets last week?

I thought they just added 3 planets last week?

They PROPOSED adding 3 new planets. But that proposal was shot down and the proposal to down-grade Pluto won.

Disney's suing some scientist ass right about now.

Now that they've taken care of Pluto...when are they gonna make Donald Duck wear some damn pants??????