Breaking: Pluto not a planet!

[kay1864]

Astronomers say Pluto is not a planet
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - 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.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060824/ap_on_sc/planet_mutiny_9


Mostly I liked this for the URL... "planet mutiny 9" indeed :rofl:

Sounds like a bad 50's SF movie. Or brings images of astronomers rioting in the corridors.

[RebelOne]

1. Can you imagine all the school astronomy textbooks

that are going to have to be revised.

[dolo amber]

4. The textbook lobby is very powerful

:tinfoilhat:

[Katina]

2. so will Disney give Pluto a new name too?

I can't believe this whole thing. Is this a case of planetary devolution? Is it really that important to these guys? I think it's funny to see these guys argue like they are.

[reyd reid reed]

3. What's next?

resisting, resisting, resisting

First there are nine. Then there are supposed to be thirteen (but last I heard, they said they'd found three new ones, so....huh?). Now they're taking away our little Pluto and there are eight.

And they wonder why kids are so confused? Personally, I think someone needs to check their water supply...and then give me some.

[peekaloo]

5. Heads up Uranus

I foresee a name change in your future.

}(

[Katina]

6. oooo

:rofl:

[reyd reid reed]

7. LOL!

I'm soooooo glad someone said it and removed the temptation.

That one, anyway.

Whew!!!

[Hosnon]

8. New Mnemonic Device for Solar System:

Upon Pluto's demotion, here is the new pneumonic device for memorizing our planets:

Max
Viewed
Eight
Martians
Jogging
Swiftly
Using
Nikes

Spread the word DUers (especially teachers)!!!!

[Crabby Appleton]

9. Pluto Diebolded - I demand a recount n/t

[deucemagnet]

10. THIS IS HUGH!!!11!!! I'M CERES!!!!!111!!!

[baldguy]

11. This decision is arbitrary & capricious.

"a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a ... nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit."

If Pluto isn't a planet, then neither is Neptune. And neither is Earth, for that matter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-orbital_satellite

[Zomby Woof]

12. Pluto was discovered in Flagstaff, AZ

Lowell Observatory draws many people there year after year mainly because of its status as the observatory where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930. You can see the actual telescope and the blink generator he used to make his discovery.

I wonder how they will handle this revision on their tours and educational programs. No matter what this 'demotion' means, it was still an amazing discovery considering the available technology of the time. They shouldn't let this diminish their pride in helping uncover one of the fascinating mysteries of the solar system.

[Benfea]

13. Meh. It's just a failed comet anyway. -NT

[BrightKnight]

14. .