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How Would You Define a Planet?

It doesn't come easy asks: "The argument over the definition of a planet continues. So far, two definitions are favored but without much consensus so far: base the definition of a planet simply on an object's size. Pluto would be near the lower limit and the newly discovered Kuiper Belt objects could also qualify, giving us 10 or 11 planets so far; or define the single dominant body in its immediate neighborhood as the only qualifying object for planetary status. If no one body dominated (such as the millions of individual asteroids in the asteroid belt) then none would qualify for planetary status. In this case Pluto would be disqualified (Neptune would be the dominant body in Pluto's region of space), and the newly discovered Kuiper Belt objects would also fail to qualify. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) working group charged with pinning down the definition of a planet may vote on the proposals within the next two weeks (or they may decide to start all over again with something new). Maybe Slashdot readers can give them some help. How would you define a planet?"

20 of 410 comments (clear)

  1. anything with a roman god name by DarkProphet · · Score: 3, Funny

    sounds good enough for me ;-)

    --
    What could possibly hurt the security of the American people more than giving our own government the ability to hide its
    1. Re:anything with a roman god name by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

      Ah, well, looks like Earth is shit outta luck.

      KFG

  2. Dude... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    A planet is, like, one of those rocky things that goes around the sun... oh wait Jupiter is gas. Ok, it has to be like big and shit. It can't be a star though. Ok lets say 1,000km diameter minimum. If it's 1000km diameter or more, and it orbits a star, but it's not a star itself, it's a planet.

    There. I just settled what thousands of "smart" astronomers with their "Ph. D's" can't figure out.

    Pass the bong man...

    1. Re:Dude... by Tatarize · · Score: 4, Funny

      I think we should just drop the name. It can still exist, but not in a scientific context. We just go with MVEMJSUNP as "planets" and make up words with given definitions before we start trying to apply them them to things.

      BOOS: Big Objects Orbiting Star.
      BOOBOOS: Big Objects Orbiting Big Objects Orbiting Star.
      LOOS: Little Objects Orbiting Star.
      FOSC: Floating Outer Space Crap.
      Planet: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.

      Oh, and since I know you'll ask the difference between a BOOS and a LOOS is that a BOOS is large enough that it's own gravity keeps it roughly spherical.

      --

      It is no longer uncommon to be uncommon.
    2. Re:Dude... by zentigger · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think you missed a really important one:

      Big Objects Orbiting Binary Stars... /ducks

      --

      the above is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect that of the little voices in my head

    3. Re:Dude... by davmoo · · Score: 2, Funny

      We also need BFR..."Big Fucking Rock".

      --
      I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
    4. Re:Dude... by floron · · Score: 1, Funny

      aw, i loove that baand.

  3. Quick definition by brassman · · Score: 4, Funny
    Something more than 1000 miles in diameter that's named after a Greek deity.

    Oataox or whatever the hell? The guy who came up with that needs to be kicked out of the Astronomy club.

    --
    "Ain't no right way to do a wrong thing."
  4. Thank God fior the Uncyclopedia by iceborer · · Score: 4, Funny

    A nonluminous celestial body larger than an asstroid or cumbucket, illuminated by light from a star, such as Michael Jackson, around which it revolts.

    Uncyclopedia: Planet

  5. Heh by B3ryllium · · Score: 3, Funny

    If it's the size of Marvin's brain, or bigger, it's a Planet.

    If it's smaller ... well, it's just depressing.

    Wretched, isn't it?

  6. I suggested... by grub · · Score: 4, Funny

    I suggested this on www.randi.org a few weeks ago. In Pluto's case have astrologers draw up two parallel charts. One with Pluto as a planet, the other without. After a few weeks we can compare what happened in the world to the astrology charts and that'll settle it.

    "The planets don't lie" as I said there. ;)

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  7. Whatever Wikipedia says. by codergeek42 · · Score: 5, Funny
  8. The Kirk Test by MattC413 · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you can land on it and score with an alien chick, it's a planet.

  9. Re:By mass & composition by iggy_mon · · Score: 5, Funny

    by your definition my ex-wife is a planet!

    --
    --iggy_mon - www.ananonymouskiller.com - Die Trying -
  10. Has anyone asked... by Brad1138 · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...the mice?

    --
    If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
  11. Re:By that definition, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    No, duh! Stars are pointy, not round!

  12. anything smaller than cowboy neals mom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    thats right and yo moma too

  13. Gotta be more specific.... by cbiltcliffe · · Score: 4, Funny

    The only way to define it is obvious:

    Anything you can blow up with the Death Star!

    --
    "City hall" in German is "Rathaus" Kinda explains a few things......
  14. Simple... The Deathstar Test by Nezer · · Score: 2, Funny

    If it can support the orbit of the Deathstar then it qualifies.

  15. Re:Here's my criteria... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Mine would be an immense solid body, somewhat ovoid in shape, covered with relatively miniscule live forms and surrounded by gaseous clouds.

    Oh, wait. I just described myself.