Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Pluto's reputation further dwarfed

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Science Donate to DU
 
IndianaGreen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 07:02 PM
Original message
Pluto's reputation further dwarfed
Pluto's reputation further dwarfed

NICKY PHILLIPS
April 12, 2010


PLUTO has been dealt another blow. Not only was the celestial body demoted from a planet to a dwarf planet in 2006, but new research by Australian astronomers suggests dwarf planets are not as rare as first thought.

According to Charley Lineweaver of the Australian National University, if the classification of dwarf planets was applied properly there would be at least 50 more of them.

''It's like being a member of the Qantas Club: you think you're elite until you realise everyone else at the airport has a Qantas Club card, too,'' he said.

The International Astronomical Union sorts objects in the solar system into three groups: planets, dwarf planets and small solar system bodies. At present eight planets, five dwarf planets and thousands of small solar system bodies orbit the sun. To be given the title of dwarf planet, the union states an object needs to be in ''hydrostatic equilibrium''.

''That basically means it has to be round,'' said Dr Lineweaver.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/science/plutos-reputation-further-dwarfed-20100411-s0wc.html
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
lazarus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 07:14 PM
Response to Original message
1. neat
I didn't realize I'm in "hydrostatic equilibrium." The things you learn...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Birthmark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 07:19 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. LOL
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Sherman A1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 07:27 PM
Response to Original message
3. I continue to support the PLANET Pluto
I also support the Laws of Gravity.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
IndianaGreen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 07:30 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Male astronomers are hung up on size
If it is round, it is a planet.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
plcdude Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-12-10 01:55 PM
Response to Reply #4
9. Does
size matter to women? Just askin.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Gman2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 07:36 PM
Response to Original message
5. It's our token planet. It needs a boost. Affirmative mass.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Submariner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 07:56 PM
Response to Original message
6. Poor Pluto
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Gman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 08:15 PM
Response to Original message
7. The persecution of Pluto continues
what did Pluto do to deserve this?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
RagAss Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Apr-11-10 09:30 PM
Response to Original message
8. Pluto was swift-boated.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Swede Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-12-10 03:19 PM
Response to Original message
10. Pluto is a Mickey Mouse planet.
to quote Robin Williams.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
pokerfan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-12-10 04:30 PM
Response to Original message
11. All kidding aside
Pluto was asking for it as far as I'm concerned.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Tue Dec 10th 2024, 05:50 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Science Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC