Re: Edward Duke's Mundane System | Forum

Littlestone Jul 30, 2005 13:06:20

Replying to PeterH

>...Pluto has been down graded and is no longer a planet.<

Evidently there is some debate about the status of Pluto and, "The new discovery (of Sedna) will reignite the debate about what constitutes a planet. One group of astronomers believe that Pluto is not a true planet but merely one of the largest of a vast number of minor objects in the outer Solar System. The alternative standpoint is that Pluto is a planet and those who believe that will have to classify Sedna as the 10th planet."*

* http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3511678.stm

baza Jul 30, 2005 14:03:09

Replying to Littlestone

There have been two more very recent discoveries.

2003 UB313:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4730061.stm

And 2003 EL61:
http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn7751

follow that cow Jul 31, 2005 00:10:52

Replying to Littlestone

I love this piece of possible 'Urban Mythology'

>For Pluto, the official reason for its name is unknown, but the entourage of Clyde Tombaugh swears that as the discoverer was discussing the question with a colleague, his young son suggested naming it after his dog Pluto – who of course was named after Walt Disney's famous creation. And so it was done.<

Just imagine, what if the childs favourite Disney character had been Goofy!!

As another snippet of useless information, Herschell, the discoverer of Uranus was very keen to name the newly discovered planet George, in honour of the reigning monarch at the time.

Mars, Jupiter, Saturn......GEORGE.....!!!

Love it.

Good night all.

ftc