Pluto Voted Out, Dumbo Remains
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Pluto Voted Out as Planet
Members of the International Astronomical Union voted nearly unanimously yesterday to demote Pluto to "dwarf planet" status, a new category that also includes the large asteroid Ceres and the recently discovered Kuiper Belt object UB313.
Members of the International Astronomical Union voted nearly unanimously yesterday to demote Pluto to "dwarf planet" status, a new category that also includes the large asteroid Ceres and the recently discovered Kuiper Belt object UB313.
Discovery of UB313 Called Pivitol
Caltech astronomer Michael Brown, whose discovery of UB313 last year provoked the debate over whether Pluto should be considered a planet, said he was mildly disappointed that his own discovery, which he has nicknamed Xena, would not become a planet. But scientifically there was little doubt, he said, that it was a mistake to make Pluto a planet when it was discovered 76 years ago.
Continued below...
New Definition of a Planet
The new definition states that all an object needs to win planetary classification was to be massive enough to have a round shape, orbit the sun and have cleared its space. That means that when a clump of dust and gas and water condenses into a proto-planet, it must dominate its area of the solar system, sweeping up other matter in its area and preventing the formation of other similarly sized objects.
UB313 Not a Planet Either
That definition caused Pluto and UB313 to be exiled because they are among thousands of icy trans-Neptunian objects in the Kuiper Belt. It also eliminates Ceres because it is part of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
That definition caused Pluto and UB313 to be exiled because they are among thousands of icy trans-Neptunian objects in the Kuiper Belt. It also eliminates Ceres because it is part of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Dumbo in Whitehouse
The status of Dumbo remained uncertain. He was most recently seen at the Whitehouse on the south lawn where he was preparing to fly away. The children from the Gay and Lesbian Parents Day were gleefully playing with him asking not to be "left behind." Some even asked if they could see if he was for real.
The status of Dumbo remained uncertain. He was most recently seen at the Whitehouse on the south lawn where he was preparing to fly away. The children from the Gay and Lesbian Parents Day were gleefully playing with him asking not to be "left behind." Some even asked if they could see if he was for real.
Dumbo and His Circus May Get Voted Out in 2008
Dumbo was not voted out at this meeting. Having been dropped to earth by the stork, Dumbo is currently lost in space causing wars and spreading terror alerts. Scientists said that while Dumbo was large, clearly orbiting the sun and in the process of "clearing its space" in Iran, Iraq, Syria and along the Gulf Coast of the United States he may not fit the definition. But whether Dumbo meets the definition of a planet or just our President is still unclear. A vote on whether Dumbo is a large mass or just a big dumb object lost in space could come in 2008.
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Comments
Very Funny
Especially liked the part about the Whitehouse and the kids. Great job!
Posted by: Steve | August 26, 2006 12:24 AM