Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

IAU Classifies Pluto & Eris As "Plutoids"

Posted by timothy on from the once-and-for-all-or-maybe-not dept.

Kligat writes "The International Astronomical Union has decided that Pluto and Eris should be classified as "plutoids," alongside their 2006 classification as dwarf planets. Under the definition, the self-gravity of a plutoid is enough for it to achieve a near-spherical shape, but not enough for it to clear its orbit of its rocky neighbors, and the plutoid orbits the Sun beyond Neptune." Reader FiReaNGeL links to a similar story at e! Science News.

2 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. But what about Scott!? by ricebowl · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    "The International Astronomical Union has decided that Pluto and Eris should be classified as "plutoids,"

    But...has anyone told Scott Ramsoomair?

  2. Another Pluto Problem by kurt555gs · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Pluto got it's name from the famous Disney character. I am surprised that the Disney Corporation hasn't been going after some one or other to get payment for using their "IP".

    Given Disney's rapacious geed over things like this, I would think they are at least cooking up some idea of having the world pay for saying the name "Pluto" in any context.

    I also think a 'Plutiod' is a good description.

    Cheers

    --
    * Carthago Delenda Est *