Details on the results of the big planet debate:
So now we know what a planet is. As confirmed by the passage of a revised resolution at the International Astronomical Union’s general assembly today in Prague, a planet meets the following criteria:
* It must be in orbit around a star
* It must possess sufficient mass to allow it to assume a round shape; i.e., it assumes hydrostatic equilibrium
* It is large enough that it has cleared the orbit through which it moves
The third item, of course, is the interesting part, for it rules out Ceres, about which there had been some controversy. I mean, it was one thing to consider 2003 UB313 as a planet, but to delve into the middle of the Solar System and define a new planet in medias res seemed a stretch too far for some people (though not for me). Pluto is also ruled out because it moves for part of its orbit inside the orbit of Neptune; Charon likewise is left without planetary designation.
...
There is precedent for planetary demotion, incidentally. After its discovery in 1801, Ceres was generally thought to be a planet, but by the early 1850s so many of what we now call ‘asteroids’ were being discovered that planetary status for all was ruled out.
Huh. So, according to this, Pluto lost its planet status not because it's too small, but because its orbit croses that of Neptune.
[link]
But doesn't Neptune's cross the path of Pluto's? Is this some sort of plot?
I think that Pluto is totally being wronged and should be grandfathered in.
But doesn't Neptune's cross the path of Pluto's? Is this some sort of plot?
That crossed my mind too. Um... Neptune was there first.
OK, there must be more to the rules that what I quoted.
But doesn't Neptune's cross the path of Pluto's? Is this some sort of plot?
Neptune totally has the right of way
I'm watching the PR rerun, since I was on the phone with my mother for the first 15 minutes of last night's show, and
when they pick the models, the four slim women are picked first. No surprise, I know. And I know the majority of clothes for plus-size women are ugly and shapeless. Believe me, I know. But I'm still grumpy. Watch an episode of What Not to Wear, for god's sakes. Big flowy clothes just make big women look bigger.
Dana, that's why I gave Kayne points for the pants he made for Michael's mom. Only problem was, Michael Kors was right -- they should have been full-length and straight, not cropped.
Interesting that this issue never came up in the last two seasons. Also since I don't think Allison designed her outfit last week without disregard for her model. I think a cinched waist is usually going to give more of a figure/silhouette, but stiff paper is a pretty unforgiving material.
* It is large enough that it has cleared the orbit through which it moves
I'm not sure I understand this. Does it mean nothing else is in it's orbital path?
I'm not sure I understand this. Does it mean nothing else is in it's orbital path?
Yeah (with the exception of moons). This rule prevents an asteroid from being a planet, because there are bunches of other asteroids in similar orbits.
