IAU Rules Pluto Still a Planet

scottyscout writes "NPR reports that Pluto has dodged a bullet. An international panel has unanimously recommended that Pluto retain its title as a planet, and it may be joined by other undersized objects that revolve around the sun. Some astronomers had lobbied for reclassifying Pluto as its so tiny. And at least one major museum has excluded Pluto from its planetary display. But sources tell NPR that under the proposal, to be presented at a big meeting of astronomers in Prague next week for a vote, Pluto would become part of a new class of small planets and several more objects could be granted membership."

Comments

If they have such power,,,

[krell]

If they have the power to make or unmake planets, why can't they do something really useful with Pluto, such as decree it to be a really huge scoop of chocolate cookie-dough ice cream?

Re:If they have such power,,,

[Mykid8yours]

Well, those other planets may harbor terrorist. The only logical thing is that we invade and we destroy them. This way Iraq & Iran won't be the only place harboring terrorists; that is being destroyed and Earth won't be the only planet being destroyed by mankind. But that is the only logical thing we can do.

Re:If they have such power,,,

[Anonymous Coward]

People will debate Pluto's class until the end of the solar system.

Come on. With that erratic orbit and the fact that Pluto doesn't "fit in" with the rest of the planets... she's obviously a rogue. Just send a freakin' mission out there to find her character sheet and we can all mvoe on to more important things, like debating 2e vs. 3e rules.

Who are these people, anyway?

[Anonymous Coward]

No less a personage than Gustav Holst refused to include Pluto among The Planets.

Why should I listen to this "IAU" instead of to him?

Future objects

[crmartin]

... mickey, minnie, donald.

In other news, Pixar announces corporate sponsorship of IAU.

Re:Future objects

[thephotoman]

I've got a line of fangirls out here with strap-ons that find Pluto to be a "bishie" and want to, well, show him that they like him. It disturbs me.

Re:Future objects

[Tackhead]

> I've got a line of fangirls out here with strap-ons that find Pluto to be a "bishie" and want to, well, show him that they like him. It disturbs me.

That's what I love about Slashdot. Just when I think I can make out the murky bottom of the Marianas Trench with the thread's floodlights, someone shows up with a drill bit.

That does it!

[Quiet_Desperation]

I declare holy^H^H^H^H science war against the IAU!

Pluto must be happy to hear this...

[sTalking_Goat]

Has Pluto put out a press release yet. Are it and it supports going to have a celebration party? Is Jupiter going to be there? I've got a 'thing' for gas giants...

All the better.

[krell]

"Most of the Astronomers are having trouble making it to Prague because of the security anthill that's been kicked over by the hair-gel bomb plot. This will probably have a big effect on how the IAU vote turns out."

All the better to have them converge on Prague without the benefit of the latest in hair care products, and to all end up coiff'ed like Einstein.

Don't we have this covered already

[iShaman]

Really now...this has already been settled! Pluto is a Class C Geoinactive planet I mean sheesh.....

You know...

[TheOldSchooler]

The real problem with Pluto is that it makes Uranus look huge.

Preserve it for Posterity

[Petskull]

I agree implicitly.. They should do something big with it- like name a cartoon dog after it or something.

Re:How Big Must a Planet be?

[TheOldSchooler]

I believe they said it shouldn't be any smaller than Uranus.

I am so sorry.

Re:I "relate to its inadequacy"

[CopaceticOpus]

So, you're saying that anything that's only 5.5 times smaller than a planet should also be considered a planet?

Earth/5.5 = 2300km => Pluto is a planet

Pluto/5.5 = 420km => Vesta asteroid (450km) is a planet

Vesta/5.5 = 82km => 61 Danaë asteroid (82km) is a planet

61 Danaë/5.5 = 15km => 2685 Masursky asteroid is a planet

2685 Masursky/5.5 = 2.5km => 2002 JF56 asteroid is a planet

2002 JF56/5.5 = 455 meters => CN Tower (550m) is a planet

CN Tower/5.5 = 100m => Eyeglass orbital telescope would be a planet

Eyeglass/5.5 = 18m => The Titan Missle silo was a planet

Titan/5.5 = 10.7 feet => Your bathroom is a planet

Bathroom/5.5 = 2 feet => Your Mom is a planet! Oh, snap!

Doesn't qualify.

[Minstrel Boy]

Any object maneuverable enough to dodge a bullet can't possibly be considered a planet.

KeS

Re:I "relate to its inadequacy"

[Rob Kaper]

Bathroom/5.5 = 2 feet => Your Mom is a planet! Oh, snap!

I like the way you reason, but I'd sooner call her a midget.

That's no moon

[Anonymous Coward]

When asked for comment, Pluto gave this cryptic reply "Brr! I'm cold!"

parent post overrated

[Travoltus]

Don't we already say enough crap on here to scare off geek women? *rolleyes*

Re:parent post overrated

[Cornflake917]

I totally agree.

*Goes back to masturbating to a Night Elf*

Re:I "relate to its inadequacy"

[Evanisincontrol]

Your Mom/5.5 = 4.36 inches => Oh yeah? Well my.... nevermind.

Re:I "relate to its inadequacy"

[DirePickle]

We could also add that it has become spherical under its own gravity. So a lot of those things are out. But Your Mom still qualifies.

Criteria

[jafac]

Should not be based on size alone, but should also be based on spin, complexity of orbital perturbations (and I understand that Pluto's orbit is fairly unique in many ways).

Because my wife always told me that it's not size, it's the technique.