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    #1

    How to resolve the "planet" situation...

    I ran a search and all I found was some thread discussing the 10th planet, so I guess this is ok for a new thread. Basically as I'm sure you've all heard, there have been many Kuiper Belt objects that have come close in size to Pluto, and the most recent ("Xena"/2005 UB313) is actually bigger than Pluto. So how should the IAU resolve this? Basically there are 4 options:

    1) Pluto get's demoted. There are 8 planets and likely when a firm definition is decided it will include a size limit somewhere close to Mercury's.

    2) Xena and other KBO's not planets, but Pluto keeps it's status for historical reasons. The size limit again will probably be included in a determined definition to be somewhere closer to that of Mercury.

    3) Pluto and Xena both planets, but Pluto is the lower limit and no other KBO's will be classified as planets. This could still result in even more planets, possibly another dozen or so.

    4) Pluto and Xena both planets and the size limit is set even lower than Pluto, or possibly no size limit at all but a definition that only includes other factors. This possibility could allow for dozens, possibly hundreds of planets.

    What are your guys thoughts? Personally I'm for option 1. Sorry Pluto. I try to think of it from an outside perspective. If an alien came to our solar system, how many planets would he count? 8.

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    #2
    Then that makes Xena a planet. Just because we haven't classified it as a planet doesn't mean that it isn't. it is biger then Pluto and it circles are Sun, therefore it is a planet.
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      #3
      I like number 2.
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        #4
        This will be difficult for educators to handle, adjusting the state standards for this explosion of discoveries. Number 3 sounds good to me.
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          #5
          Originally posted by LORD MONK
          Then that makes Xena a planet. Just because we haven't classified it as a planet doesn't mean that it isn't. it is biger then Pluto and it circles are Sun, therefore it is a planet.
          Just because I haven't classified my chair as a planet, doesn't mean it isn't.

          Now with added lesbians.

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            #6
            Originally posted by walterIsTheMan
            I ran a search and all I found was some thread discussing the 10th planet, so I guess this is ok for a new thread. Basically as I'm sure you've all heard, there have been many Kuiper Belt objects that have come close in size to Pluto, and the most recent ("Xena"/2005 UB313) is actually bigger than Pluto. So how should the IAU resolve this? Basically there are 4 options:

            1) Pluto get's demoted. There are 8 planets and likely when a firm definition is decided it will include a size limit somewhere close to Mercury's.

            2) Xena and other KBO's not planets, but Pluto keeps it's status for historical reasons. The size limit again will probably be included in a determined definition to be somewhere closer to that of Mercury.

            3) Pluto and Xena both planets, but Pluto is the lower limit and no other KBO's will be classified as planets. This could still result in even more planets, possibly another dozen or so.

            4) Pluto and Xena both planets and the size limit is set even lower than Pluto, or possibly no size limit at all but a definition that only includes other factors. This possibility could allow for dozens, possibly hundreds of planets.

            What are your guys thoughts? Personally I'm for option 1. Sorry Pluto. I try to think of it from an outside perspective. If an alien came to our solar system, how many planets would he count? 8.
            I think the second half of number 4 is the best idea. Until we explore more of the galaxy and have a better understanding of other systems I think we need to establish a different set of standards or quantifications for defining a planet. Size is to broad and imprecise.

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              #7
              Originally posted by spg_1983
              I think the second half of number 4 is the best idea. Until we explore more of the galaxy and have a better understanding of other systems I think we need to establish a different set of standards or quantifications for defining a planet. Size is to broad and imprecise.
              Well you have a good point. For all we know, there could be a solar system out there that has Earth-size rocks floating around in the outer solar system and Jupiter-size regular planets. Size might be completely relative.

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                #8
                Originally posted by walterIsTheMan
                Well you have a good point. For all we know, there could be a solar system out there that has Earth-size rocks floating around in the outer solar system and Jupiter-size regular planets. Size might be completely relative.
                Exactly. I know it is a cheesy example but it is very pertinant. Look at the movie Men in Black. Our whole galaxy was the size of a marble to some aliens, and a whole other galaxy was the size of a marble in ours. Size is very relative. and thats not even going into the possibilities of the laws of physics being different in other parts of space than they are here. A foot here on earth might not be a foot in another part of the galaxy.

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by walterIsTheMan
                  Well you have a good point. For all we know, there could be a solar system out there that has Earth-size rocks floating around in the outer solar system and Jupiter-size regular planets. Size might be completely relative.
                  True - size is probably completely irrelevant.

                  Personally I don't think we should remove Pluto from planetary status, because i will always think of it as one.

                  I quite like the Solar system as it is - call it sentimental if you want. Besides. Think of all the textbooks that would go out of date!
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                    #10
                    Originally posted by jonno
                    True - size is probably completely irrelevant.

                    Personally I don't think we should remove Pluto from planetary status, because i will always think of it as one.

                    I quite like the Solar system as it is - call it sentimental if you want. Besides. Think of all the textbooks that would go out of date!
                    IMO we shouldn't keep it just for the sake of it. If it is counted then Xena definitly should be. Personally they both should be knocked off the list. Pluto is just a KBO. There are 8 planets.

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by walterIsTheMan
                      IMO we shouldn't keep it just for the sake of it. If it is counted then Xena definitly should be. Personally they both should be knocked off the list. Pluto is just a KBO. There are 8 planets.
                      Yeah gotta agree with you there. Isn't pluto not even an orb? Isn't it supposed to be peanut shaped or like a double body rotating around itself?

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by spg_1983
                        Yeah gotta agree with you there. Isn't pluto not even an orb? Isn't it supposed to be peanut shaped or like a double body rotating around itself?
                        It's spherical, but it's considered a double-planet with it's moon Charon. They have two other moons too (some scientists also consider Earth-Moon a double planet).

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by walterIsTheMan
                          (some scientists also consider Earth-Moon a double planet).
                          Do they really? That IS interesting.

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                            #14
                            Originally posted by spg_1983
                            Do they really? That IS interesting.
                            Yeah it's because the Moon is so large relative to the Earth. There are moons larger than the Moon in the solar system, but they are small relative to their planets because they orbit the gas giants. Mars' moons are small, and Mercury and Venus don't have any.

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                              #15
                              Originally posted by walterIsTheMan
                              Yeah it's because the Moon is so large relative to the Earth. There are moons larger than the Moon in the solar system, but they are small relative to their planets because they orbit the gas giants. Mars' moons are small, and Mercury and Venus don't have any.
                              Thats true, I never really thought about it. Luna is what a quarter of terra's mass? That is really big compared to other planet/moon ratios. Thanks, Im gonna have to read up on this now! As if I don't have enough reading to do for classes already! lol

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