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

Future objects

[crmartin]

... mickey, minnie, donald.

In other news, Pixar announces corporate sponsorship of IAU.

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.

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"

[Evanisincontrol]

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