Heads up: Bye Bye Pluto - Sunday 08-10-06; 20:30 EST SBS

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Heads up for next Sunday Night.

SCIENCE - BYE BYE PLUTO
For decades it was assumed that nine planets comprised the solar system. Pluto was the runt of the litter, drifting 40 times further from the sun than Earth, and just 1/500th of the size. Then, in 1992 scientists proved that Pluto had neighbours. It was suggested that Pluto be reclassified as just another minor planet. Fortunately for Pluto, there was an outcry, prompting the International Astronomical Union to conclude that it would not be downgraded until they had decided on exactly how to define a planet. In January 2005 an object bigger than Pluto and three times further away from the Sun was discovered on the far reaches of our solar system – an object to which Pluto's fate is now tied. If this ‘10th planet' is not allowed into the planetary club, its cousin Pluto could also find itself out in the cold. (From the UK, in English) G CC WS

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Bumping as a reminder: this is tonight

[Ric]

Quite a fascinating doco, it was interesting to see the thoughts and ideas before this years decision. The minor planet centre was a real eye opener, I had always thought of it as a big building with lots of computers not 4 guys in an office and pretty well snowed under with work.

Great stuff