|
My interpretation of clearing was that the orbit was cleared as part of the planet formation phase rather than capturing objects after the fact.
It's status as a captured object or not is relevent else we could be calling many of the moons planets!
I do not disagree that the definition is flawed and needs to be cleaned up - but it is a start. Simply put, in my view, Pluto has more in common with Asteroids and Comets than it does with the 'traditional' planets - I would have been happy with 'Minor Planet' rather than 'Dwarf' and then we wouldn't have to refer to everything else as 'Small solar system bodies'!
Cheers
|