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IAU Rules Pluto Still a Planet

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the we-can-all-rest-easy-now dept.

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."

11 of 244 comments (clear)

  1. Future objects by crmartin · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... mickey, minnie, donald.

    In other news, Pixar announces corporate sponsorship of IAU.

    1. Re:Future objects by Tackhead · · Score: 4, Funny
      > 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.

  2. Pluto must be happy to hear this... by sTalking_Goat · · Score: 4, Funny

    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...

    --

    My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle...

  3. Don't we have this covered already by iShaman · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  4. You know... by TheOldSchooler · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  5. Preserve it for Posterity by Petskull · · Score: 3, Funny

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

  6. Re:I "relate to its inadequacy" by CopaceticOpus · · Score: 5, Funny

    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!

  7. Doesn't qualify. by Minstrel+Boy · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    KeS

  8. Re:I "relate to its inadequacy" by Rob+Kaper · · Score: 3, Funny


    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.

  9. parent post overrated by Travoltus · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    --
    --- Grow a pair, liberals... stop letting the Republicans bully you!
  10. Re:I "relate to its inadequacy" by Evanisincontrol · · Score: 5, Funny

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