Vote To Name Two Newly Discovered Moons of Pluto

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Vote To Name Two Newly Discovered Moons of Pluto

Posted by samzenpus on Monday February 11, 2013 @06:30AM from the a-moon-by-any-other-name dept.

astroengine writes "The SETI Institute has launched a new website called 'Pluto Rocks!' intended to gather a public vote on the names of Pluto's smallest, and most recently discovered, moons P4 and P5. Discovered in 2011 and 2012 by Hubble, the two dinky satellites have concerned scientists managing the NASA New Horizons probe that will flyby the Plutonian system in 2015 — the presence of small rocky bodies in Pluto orbit might mean there is a significant collision risk to the high velocity spacecraft. This sinister back story will surely influence the naming outcome of the two new moons, where all the suggestions on Pluto Rocks! are related to Greek and Roman mythological characters from the underworld (but you can also make your own suggestions). If you want to get involved, there's also a special SETI Institute G+ Hangout planned for 11 a.m. PT Monday where two of the P4/P5 discovery scientists will hold a Q&A session."

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Name them.... by Surak_Prime · 2013-02-11 06:35 · Score: 2

Stewart and Colbert

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Hmmm... by B33rNinj4 · 2013-02-11 06:35 · Score: 2

Lursa and B'Etor.
1. Re:Hmmm... by Sussurros · 2013-02-11 11:38 · Score: 1
  
  If you named them that you'd be making a boob, well two boobs.
  
  --
  I said - don't look Ethel!..., but it was too late..., she'd already looked.
2. Re:Hmmm... by inamorty · 2013-02-11 12:45 · Score: 1
  
  Tits and ass out past Uranus has a nice ring to it too.
Are they really moons? by Jmc23 · 2013-02-11 06:36 · Score: 4, Insightful

Do non-planets have moons?

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1. Re:Are they really moons? by naroom · 2013-02-11 06:37 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  That's no moon...
2. Re:Are they really moons? by YodasEvilTwin · 2013-02-11 06:40 · Score: 1
  
  Is there another name for rocks that orbit rocks?
3. Re:Are they really moons? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-11 06:42 · Score: 1
  
  An asteroid field.
4. Re:Are they really moons? by Kenja · 2013-02-11 06:46 · Score: 2
  
  Was going to post much the same question. However, anything in space can have a moon since all that means is an object trapped in the parents gravity field. So yes, even planetoids can have moons. In fact, even a moon can have moons. But that would be very uncommon as a moons moon would most likely get pulled out of orbit by what the moon is orbiting.
  
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  "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
5. Re:Are they really moons? by Raistlin77 · 2013-02-11 06:58 · Score: 1
  
  ...In fact, even a moon can have moons. But that would be very uncommon as a moons moon would most likely get pulled out of orbit by what the moon is orbiting.
  Why would that be uncommon? Our moon doesn't get pulled out of its orbit around the earth by the sun, nor do the moons of any other planet in our solar system.
6. Re:Are they really moons? by i+kan+reed · 2013-02-11 07:02 · Score: 2
  
  It's a dwarf planet, not a non-planet.
7. Re:Are they really moons? by DigiShaman · 2013-02-11 07:08 · Score: 1
  
  Yes. Asteroids can have "moons" in fact.
  
  --
  Life is not for the lazy.
8. Re:Are they really moons? by circletimessquare · 2013-02-11 07:13 · Score: 1
  
  non-planets have non-moons
  
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  intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
9. Re:Are they really moons? by Jmc23 · 2013-02-11 07:22 · Score: 1
  
  So moon is a superclass of planet? ...or you didn't think that through?
  
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  Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
10. Re:Are they really moons? by Kenja · 2013-02-11 07:25 · Score: 2
  
  Proximity related to mass.
  
  --
  
  "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
11. Re:Are they really moons? by Razgorov+Prikazka · 2013-02-11 07:31 · Score: 1
  
  >> Is there another name for rocks that orbit rocks?
  `n roll
  
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  rm -rf --no-preserve-root / ...and let /dev/null sort them out...
12. Re:Are they really moons? by dgatwood · 2013-02-11 07:36 · Score: 2
  
  Is there another name for rocks that orbit rocks?
  Groupies?
  
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13. Re:Are they really moons? by MachineShedFred · 2013-02-11 08:24 · Score: 1
  
  Han shot first, and Pluto is still a planet.
  Signed,
  1977
  
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LOL .... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-11 06:38 · Score: 1

there's also a special SETI Institute G+ Hangout planned for 11 a.m. PT Monday
Now I bet that is an exciting awesome event not to be missed.
1. Re:LOL .... by NoNonAlphaCharsHere · 2013-02-11 06:44 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, those SETI institute groupies are wicked freaky.
Re:Who cares? by gstoddart · 2013-02-11 06:43 · Score: 2

sayeth the cool kids in the astronomy departments
Have you ever been to an astronomy department? ;-)

--
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Re:That's easy . . . name one "Colbert" . . . by dkleinsc · 2013-02-11 06:44 · Score: 5, Interesting

Actually, I'd make the other one Tyson, because Neil Degrasse Tyson was instrumental in making Pluto no longer a planet.

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Orpheus and Euridice by Antipater · 2013-02-11 06:47 · Score: 3, Interesting

Those two aren't taken yet? I'm genuinely surprised.

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Everything is better with chainsaws.
1. Re:Orpheus and Euridice by Celarent+Darii · 2013-02-11 07:08 · Score: 2
  
  I would vote for those. Also Persephone would be a good choice.
2. Re:Orpheus and Euridice by Intropy · 2013-02-11 07:23 · Score: 1
  
  That would be a good pairing. I voted Lethe and Styx. My beef with the voting is that many of the names work much better pairwise, but you could end up mix and match. I guess that's only an issue until the next moon is found, but even so, Eurydice and Lethe just wouldn't be as good.
3. Re:Orpheus and Euridice by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-02-11 07:29 · Score: 1
  
  Those two aren't taken yet? I'm genuinely surprised.
  Haha, I got exactly the same idea! :-) It's rare nowadays to find a proper name for an astronomical object that Styx so well. Oh, that was a horrible pun.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
4. Re:Orpheus and Euridice by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-02-11 07:32 · Score: 1
  
  Haha, I got exactly the same idea! :-)
  A minor clarification: I got the idea before I even RTFA (and seen the list and voted). It sort of felt immediately obvious. But I think the choice is obvious for anyone with high shool education, so perhaps it's not that surprising.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
5. Re:Orpheus and Euridice by arisvega · 2013-02-11 07:41 · Score: 1
  
  No. Orpheus escaped, Euridice perished, and Persephone has a time-share between Hades (Pluto) and her mom.
  
  --
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Slash and Dot by futhermocker · 2013-02-11 06:48 · Score: 5, Funny

But then they would probably get slammed by asteroids Troll and Shill

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1. Re:Slash and Dot by Bacon+Bits · 2013-02-11 10:28 · Score: 1
  
  Those aren't asteroids. Troll is a comet. Shill is a black hole.
  
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  The road to tyranny has always been paved with claims of necessity.
Penn and Teller by Indigo · 2013-02-11 06:51 · Score: 1

It's obvious, right?
Re:Who cares? by Compaqt · 2013-02-11 06:53 · Score: 1

The point was a majority of people who happened to vote in some panel at an IAU conference decided Pluto isn't a planet. Given that, why get worked up over the name of a moon of a plutoid, one among many?

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Tweedle Dee... by Ashenkase · 2013-02-11 06:55 · Score: 1

and Tweedle Dum...
Insult to Injury by Farmer+Pete · 2013-02-11 06:57 · Score: 1

First the take away Pluto's standing as a planet, but it still gets to have moons? Seriously? Either it's a planet, or it's not. Make up your mind!
1. Re:Insult to Injury by sumdumass · 2013-02-11 10:50 · Score: 1
  
  I think they prefer vertically challenged now.
2. Re:Insult to Injury by grouchomarxist · 2013-02-11 13:47 · Score: 1
  
  It also has three known moons: Charon, Nix & Hydra. This just brings the number to five. A moon is a moon regardless of whether the thing it is orbiting is a planet or not.
it's too soon... by drankr · 2013-02-11 06:58 · Score: 2

I still haven't gotten over Pluto's demotion. I just don't wanna revisit that whole thing. Moon, shmoon, whatever, it will never be the same.
Anyway I'm sure somebody out there's already got perfectly good names for them...
1. Re:it's too soon... by phantomfive · 2013-02-11 07:22 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, I just call it a planet. What do a bunch of astronomers know? My childhood teacher taught me!
  
  --
  "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
2. Re:it's too soon... by drankr · 2013-02-11 12:15 · Score: 1
  
  I tell you, those astronomers may be racist. Anyroads, how's country & western for them moons?
Re:Who cares? by camperdave · 2013-02-11 07:01 · Score: 2

sayeth the cool kids in the astronomy departments
Have you ever been to an astronomy department? ;-)
He means the toughs who hang out by the air conditioner.

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Names by pitchpipe · 2013-02-11 07:08 · Score: 2

This is Not a Moon
and
It's a Trap!

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Re:Who cares? by gstoddart · 2013-02-11 07:14 · Score: 1

He means the toughs who hang out by the air conditioner.
Bah, if they were tough they wouldn't need air conditioning. ;-)

--
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Scylla and Charybdis by erice · 2013-02-11 07:15 · Score: 2

Given the danger to the New Horizons probe, the appropriate mythology names would have to be Scylla and Charybdis
1. Re:Scylla and Charybdis by DadLeopard · 2013-02-11 08:08 · Score: 1
  
  Darn! You beat me to it! Even though not Hades related, in this situation, they fit the bill perfectly! I guess we will have to wait till they discover new moons of Neptune for them to be in play though!
2. Re:Scylla and Charybdis by nightfury · 2013-02-11 09:43 · Score: 1
  
  There won't be a conflict with this?
how about something really bad ass by circletimessquare · 2013-02-11 07:16 · Score: 2

like the names of the greek gods for "fear" and "terror"

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1. Re:how about something really bad ass by Antipater · 2013-02-11 07:33 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  You're in luck, then. Acheron (agony) and Alecto (rage) are on the list of candidates, as is Erebus (darkness - more specifically, the embracing darkness that envelops and smothers you as it drags you to Hades).
  
  --
  Everything is better with chainsaws.
2. Re:how about something really bad ass by arisvega · 2013-02-11 07:47 · Score: 1
  
  like the names of the greek gods for "fear" and "terror"
  'fear' is taken: one of the Martian moons is named after it.
  
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  The three laws of thermodynamics:(1) You can't win. (2) You can't break even. (3) You can't even quit.
3. Re:how about something really bad ass by cyberchondriac · 2013-02-11 09:29 · Score: 1
  
  Aww, but those are waaay too baddass for these piddly little rocks way out in the farthest reaches of the solar system. They'd be better reserved for massive asteroids with the potential to hit Earth - the names would very apropos.
  
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4. Re:how about something really bad ass by arielCo · 2013-02-11 10:08 · Score: 1
  
  And the other one is named Deimos (terror); thus he was making a deliberate reference to the Martian moons. Deimos and Phobos are both sons of Ares (Mars), which explains the choice.
  
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5. Re:how about something really bad ass by cthulhu11 · 2013-02-12 07:07 · Score: 1
  
  You're mistaken about Erebus, the description is right, but my ex-wife's name is actually Claire.
Name by Enderandrew · 2013-02-11 07:24 · Score: 1

PlutoIsTotallyAPlanet
NoReallyItIsAPlanet

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Itchy and Scratchy! by bazorg · 2013-02-11 07:27 · Score: 2

too bad their poll is not more like Slashdot... I'd go for Itchy and Scratchy.
Re:That's easy . . . name one "Colbert" . . . by The+Archon+V2.0 · 2013-02-11 07:29 · Score: 2

Oh, now that's just rubbing it in. Pluto's gonna be pissed.
Re:Styx and Journey by Overzeetop · 2013-02-11 07:31 · Score: 4, Funny

I'm okay with Styx, but the other one should be named Journey.

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Hubris and Calamity by Ransak · 2013-02-11 07:36 · Score: 2

... from the BBC's Space Odyssey: Voyage To The Planets.

--
"Powers. I have them."
1. Re:Hubris and Calamity by hackertourist · 2013-02-11 09:15 · Score: 1
  
  IIRC the second was Catastrophe instead.
2. Re:Hubris and Calamity by Ransak · 2013-02-11 11:05 · Score: 1
  
  Was it? I stand corrected, it's been awhile since I saw it. Surprisingly watchable.
  
  --
  "Powers. I have them."
how about by HPHatecraft · 2013-02-11 07:38 · Score: 1

Testi & Cles?
Astronomers gomad for them.
Re:Who cares? by arisvega · 2013-02-11 07:39 · Score: 1

.. people who happened to vote in some panel ..
Same procedure in law-making. Also in the patent system. Your point?

--
The three laws of thermodynamics:(1) You can't win. (2) You can't break even. (3) You can't even quit.
If they were really evil... by The+Archon+V2.0 · 2013-02-11 07:40 · Score: 1

... they could say they were keeping up the habit of naming them after elements of backwards pagan mythologies, then name them Belphegor and Asmodeus, and wait to see how long it takes for someone to get it.
name ideas by PenguinJeff · 2013-02-11 07:47 · Score: 1

Rock1 and Pebble1
My on-topic vote by Darth+Hubris · 2013-02-11 07:49 · Score: 1

Acheron and Persephone get my vote. LV-426 and Monica Bellucci. Yes, indeed.

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Should start with P, IMHO by PortHaven · 2013-02-11 08:01 · Score: 1

Patron
&
Popov
1. Re:Should start with P, IMHO by PortHaven · 2013-02-11 08:03 · Score: 1
  
  Chilled and on the rocks of course...
Raxacoricofallapatorius and Clom by bdwebb · 2013-02-11 08:05 · Score: 1

I am forced to watch Dr. Who by my significant other on the regular and Raxacoricofallapatorius is stuck in my brain permanently...it is a pretty awesome name for a planet.
Characters from the Underworld? by LordStormes · 2013-02-11 08:12 · Score: 1

Pain and Panic.
1. Re:Characters from the Underworld? by LordStormes · 2013-02-11 08:14 · Score: 1
  
  Kraid and Ripley.
  Bebop and Rocksteady.
  Palom and Porom.
  Mordor and Shayol Ghul.
  Orpheus and Persephone.
Re:call one Tyson by domatic · 2013-02-11 08:12 · Score: 1

As long as 6 or 7 other little iceballs get to be planets too....
This one especially:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eris_(dwarf_planet)
Re:Who cares? by Sulphur · 2013-02-11 08:23 · Score: 1

He means the toughs who hang out by the air conditioner exhaust.
Phlegethon and Cocytus by columbus · 2013-02-11 08:35 · Score: 1

I proposed 2 new names: Phlegethon and Cocytus
These would round out the choices to include all 5 rivers of the mythological underworld
However, all of the other planets and moons I can think of are named after beings rather than places (mythological or otherwise).
So I cast my vote for Erebus.

--
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My Vote by TheSkepticalOptimist · 2013-02-11 08:40 · Score: 2

"Who the fuck cares" and "This is not a moon"

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I'll name them for you... by camperdave · 2013-02-11 08:47 · Score: 1

I'll name them for you...
... after you re-instate its planethood.

--
When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
1. Re:I'll name them for you... by aevan · 2013-02-11 10:24 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, really. That was my first thought: what the hell, first you say it's not a planet, but now we're back to moons? I know, call them dwarf-moons...or moonoids!
  While whatever definition it's under might still have it be correct to call them moons, it still seems silly.
2. Re:I'll name them for you... by drankr · 2013-02-11 12:08 · Score: 1
  
  hellyeah!
3. Re:I'll name them for you... by jbengt · 2013-02-11 12:27 · Score: 1
  
  "back" to moons? It's not like Pluot didn't have any known moons when it was demoted.
4. Re:I'll name them for you... by aevan · 2013-02-11 15:34 · Score: 1
  
  "This and the large size of Charon relative to Pluto has led some astronomers to call it a dwarf double planet". (wiki)
  Didn't pay attention to nyx and hydra, since wasn't sure if the orbits were convoluted by the barycenter of the main two or not.
Easy: Thanatos and Hypnos by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-11 08:51 · Score: 1

Death and Sleep, the sons of Nix (Night) and Erebos (Darkness). Death or sleep are the two most likely outcomes of a collision, and Nix is already a moon of Pluto.
Case closed.
urectum by locopuyo · 2013-02-11 08:54 · Score: 1

Urectum and Urarse

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Re:That's easy . . . name one "Colbert" . . . by pnakotus015 · 2013-02-11 09:01 · Score: 1

Actually, it was Mike Brown (Caltech Astronomer) who was the most instrumental. Though Tyson didn't object. So, Brown and Tyson.
Chip and Dale by fox171171 · 2013-02-11 09:08 · Score: 1

Chip and Dale were always messing with Pluto!!
How about..... by jsm18 · 2013-02-11 09:13 · Score: 1

Pinky and Brain.
Re:Styx and Journey by Jesus_666 · 2013-02-11 09:13 · Score: 4, Funny

I think that naming moons after bands is a great idea. Hence I propose calling the moons Styx and Stones.

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Christian mythology by tverbeek · 2013-02-11 09:19 · Score: 1

How about names from another underworld myth: Lucifer and Beelzebub?

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Re:Styx and Journey by mark_reh · 2013-02-11 09:45 · Score: 1

Except that both were among the worst bands ever recorded.
If you want to name those rocks after bands, how about Morphine and Radiohead?
I like by mark_reh · 2013-02-11 09:48 · Score: 1

Shiva and Kali, because I like Indian food and music.
No other/fill in option? by Captain+Arr+Morgan · 2013-02-11 09:52 · Score: 1

I'd have called one Planet.
Dwarf Jr. and Dwarf's Dwarf by RedHackTea · 2013-02-11 10:08 · Score: 1

Dwarf Moons. Mini-me and mini-mini-me are also acceptable.

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Funny thoughts of "The Silence of the Lambs"... by vikingpower · 2013-02-11 10:09 · Score: 1

... do creep up. Wasn't "Acherontia Styx" the name of the butterfly whose chrysalis was in at least one of the victims' mouth ??

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1. Re:Funny thoughts of "The Silence of the Lambs"... by Antipater · 2013-02-11 10:34 · Score: 1
  
  In the film, yes, though the novel used a different species. But yeah, Acherontia Styx and its relatives are so named because of that creepy skull on their backs.
  
  --
  Everything is better with chainsaws.
the disney Pluto has relatives by peter303 · 2013-02-11 10:12 · Score: 1

But I could not google all their names. He has a brother named K.B. and five nephews, apparently unnamed.

Pluto was one of the most popular cinema cartoons when Pluto was named. It was named for Roman god underworld and fit in with his three brothers, father and grandfather - the other five outer planets. But the press at the time noted the connection with cartoon character with kids imagination.
A Simple Rule by bickerdyke · 2013-02-11 10:25 · Score: 1

Never, Never EVER hold an internet vote to name something.
http://www.thelocal.de/society/20110728-36581.html#.URluY6WzJ8E
Unfortunately, the article ommits that the local swimming pool was an even better idea, not only because Bud Spencer actually took part in a swimming contest in his youth at that very pool (IIRC), but also has that nice pun with Bud and Bad (= pool)

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bickerdyke
Flea and Tick by Sunshinerat · 2013-02-11 11:33 · Score: 1

Flea and Tick would be my choice

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For honor and Disney by ChrisMaple · 2013-02-11 11:37 · Score: 1

Tombaugh. And another Disney pet, Figaro.

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1. Re:For honor and Disney by rrhal · 2013-02-11 14:27 · Score: 1
  
  Chip 'n Dale - they are in Pluto's cartoon world "orbit"
  
  --
  All generalizations are false, including this one. Mark Twain
Hitchikers by andrewa · 2013-02-11 12:18 · Score: 1

Definitely need some love for Douglas...
Magrathea
Krikkit
Traal
Vogsphere
Ursa Minor Beta
Brontitall

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Balance the budget ... by PPH · 2013-02-11 16:24 · Score: 1

... sell the naming rights.

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Mickey and Goofy! by Zontar+The+Mindless · 2013-02-11 16:24 · Score: 1

</thread>

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Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
1. Re:Mickey and Goofy! by Jane+Q.+Public · 2013-02-11 19:31 · Score: 1
  
  No, Goofy and Daffy.
  
  Or maybe... Goofy and Minnie.
Hat in the Ring by ThatsNotPudding · 2013-02-12 00:30 · Score: 1

1) Thing 1 & Thing 2
2) Jack & Diane
and for the traditionalists: 3) Romulus & Dickhead
Re:That's easy . . . name one "Colbert" . . . by mog007 · 2013-02-12 01:50 · Score: 1

Instrumental?
Dr. Tyson merely grouped objects in the solar system based on similar properties at the museum that he works at for their big multi-million dollar renovation.
His decision to not enumerate the planets was based on prevailing winds in the science circles already. The decision that the IAU made for Pluto's "demotion" was in no way influenced by Dr. Tyson's actions at his museum.

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Learn something new.
Fuck with Pluto by RivenAleem · 2013-02-12 02:32 · Score: 1

Call them "Planet" and "Planet Too"
Mickey and Minnie by gnupun · 2013-02-12 02:41 · Score: 1

... and yes, Pluto is a planet, coz it has moons.
I just submitted Psyche and Eros by Dabido · 2013-02-13 00:13 · Score: 1

Psyche means Spirit or ghost. In the love story of Psyche and Eros, Princess Psyche has to perform several tasks for Aphrodite (Venus in Roman Myth) in order to be reunited with her lover Eros (Venus's son - also known as Cupid in Roman Myth). One of those tasks was a decent into Hades.

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