Quote:
Originally Posted by supernova1965
At some point you have to question Pluto's status when it has five moons in orbit don't you  |
Not really, having moons is not one of the criteria for planet status which are
- <LI sizcache0390170421181596="54 161 8" sizset="false">is in orbit around the Sun, <LI sizcache0390170421181596="54 161 10" sizset="false">has sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium (a nearly round shape), and
- has "cleared the neighbourhood" around its orbit.
Given Haumea has satellites and there are maybe hundreds, thousands or millions of similar objects either with or without satellites, the status of Pluto as a minor planet makes perfect sense.
Malcolm