If its gravity is enough to pull it into a sphere and it orbits the sun and not another planet, then it's a planet.
If someone fires a 22 bullet at you, it' still a bullet even if it is tiddly - and it'll still make a nasty hole too.
I would modified the option "a" to mention the other dwarf planets. I don't get why everybody feels sorry for Pluto but doesn´t worry about the other objects that are also considered as "dwarf planets".
Other thing that I dislike is the name "dwarf planets". Couldn't just be "Planets class A" and "Planets class B" or similar? Why dwarf? Doesn't it sound a bit rude?
I would modified the option "a" to mention the other dwarf planets. I don't get why everybody feels sorry for Pluto but doesn´t worry about the other objects that are also considered as "dwarf planets".
Other thing that I dislike is the name "dwarf planets". Couldn't just be "Planets class A" and "Planets class B" or similar? Why dwarf? Doesn't it sound a bit rude?
Cheers, Luis.
Because Pluto was counted as a planet for a long time. The drop in pay grade has got to hurt. I agree about the term "dwarf planets" with stars it is a more scientific class type naming protocol why shouldn't planets get the same dignity.
I was having this discussion with my 4 year old the other day. I was saying to him how I felt sorry for Pluto because it used to be a planet but got demoted. His reasoning was it is better for Pluto to be a dwarf planet because then it means we get to include Ceres and the other one (forgotton its name) in the solar system pictures and the more planets the better in his eyes!
One of his books calls them Plutoids which is much nicer than dwarf planet and a bit of a consolation prize for poor Pluto
With the vast number of similar objects in similar orbits, some of similar size, I wouldn't say it is just a rock, but it is definitely NOT a planet! No one cried for Ceres when it was demoted many years ago, so what is all the fuss this time? Pluto is one of a huge family just as Ceres is now known to be.
People need to realise that astronomy is a science not a popularity contest. You create a definition for something and when it no longer fits the definition, it is no longer that thing. If further investigation determines that your definition is lacking, you refine the definition and see what things fit the new definition.
They had to modify the definition of a planet recently to state that planets orbit "stars" rather than "the Sun" in order to fit in exoplanets. I am sure they will continue to modify definitions as we learn more, that's the nature of science.
I say begone to all of the "Pluto is a planet" followers! Astronomy is a science, if you don't like it, get out of our playground, it's our playground, our rules....OK? Maybe join the flat Earthers, they will play with anyone, 'cause they don't have many friends
People need to realise that astronomy is a science not a popularity contest.
They had to modify the definition of a planet recently to state that planets orbit "stars" rather than "the Sun" in order to fit in exoplanets. I am sure they will continue to modify definitions as we learn more, that's the nature of science.
I was having this discussion with my 4 year old the other day. I was saying to him how I felt sorry for Pluto because it used to be a planet but got demoted. His reasoning was it is better for Pluto to be a dwarf planet because then it means we get to include Ceres and the other one (forgotton its name) in the solar system pictures and the more planets the better in his eyes!
One of his books calls them Plutoids which is much nicer than dwarf planet and a bit of a consolation prize for poor Pluto
I LIKE your young fella's reasoning. Pretty sophisticated for a 4 year old too. Budding astronomer there I suspect.
Dwarf - anthropomorphism - don't let it become a politically correct syndrome or we'll lose a word from the dictionary.
They almost renamed Fairy Penguins little penguins (the gay community stopped that one!)- roll on 1984...
