Pluto

[RickG]

Evidently some scientists weren't happy though and rigged a vote to get it demoted.

I understand your point but I don't think you understand the process involved. Like all major scientific organizations the IAU holds annual meetings to present papers on current research, and to discuss organizational procedures, which includes scientific terminology. These meetings are always preceded with information sent to the members to be presented and discussed. Posted on the IAU site"

"Among the other tasks of the IAU are the definition of fundamental astronomical and physical constants; unambiguous astronomical nomenclature; promotion of educational activities in astronomy; and informal discussions on the possibilities for future international large-scale facilities. Furthermore, the IAU serves as the internationally recognized authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and surface features on them."
​

The AIU has over 10,000 members from 101 countries. Anyone can attend the annual meeting, however, only members are allowed to vote on IAU matters. Needless to say, a majority a members of any organization that large is never going to have a majority of members in attendance. The best any organization can do is to accept the majority of member attendees votes on specific matters. To suggest that something was done wrong in determining the criteria for defining a planet is simply not factual.

Here's a link to IAU's organization information.
International Astronomical Union | IAU

And here's a link to the process IAU (original source) went through to determine the difference between planets, dwarf planets, and smaller solar system bodies.
International Astronomical Union | IAU

 

[AV1611VET]

Here's a link to IAU's organization information.
International Astronomical Union | IAU

Rick, did you read laurele's two posts?

This was done in violation of their own policies.

Why are you linking me to their policies, if they won't follow them themselves?

 

[Loudmouth]

Rick, did you read laurele's two posts?

This was done in violation of their own policies.

Why are you linking me to their policies, if they won't follow them themselves?

That's just bureaucratic nonsense.

All members were allowed to attend and vote. All you really have is sour grapes. What you continually fail to do is address the definition itself and why the definition should be changed.

 

[miknik5]

Our understanding of how solar systems form has changed since Pluto was first named a planet. Part of that understanding includes planet formation within the accretion disk as compared to how Kuiper belt objects form or how they get hurled into the Kuiper belt.



That's science doing its job. As new evidence comes in our conclusions can change.

What was the new evidence about Pluto?
It appears that the "planet" didn't change

Men's "wisdom" did
That's what this physicist seemed to be implying

 

[miknik5]

Eh, I didn't understand before what was said...


The bold and caps actually generated its respective clarity on the issue(s).

See @bhsmte and @HitchSlap

The caps (.just as I said how I use them) generated clarity!

 

[AV1611VET]

That's just bureaucratic nonsense.

Ya ... ya.

Read the posts.

 

[HitchSlap]

What was the new evidence about Pluto?
It appears that the "planet" didn't change

Men's "wisdom" did
That's what this physicist seemed to be implying

As I said before, understanding is the beginning of wisdom.

 

[Loudmouth]

What was the new evidence about Pluto?
It appears that the "planet" didn't change

What changed is our understanding of how planets form.

"When the solar system formed, much of the gas, dust and rocks pulled together to form the sun and planets. The planets then swept most of the remaining debris into the sun or out of the solar system. But bodies farther out remained safe from gravitational tugs of planets like Jupiter, and so managed to stay safe as they slowly orbited the sun. The Kuiper Belt and its compatriot, the more distant and spherical Oort Cloud, contain the leftover remnants from the beginning of the solar system and can provide valuable insights into its birth."
Kuiper Belt Objects: Facts about the Kuiper Belt & KBOs

Pluto is a Kuiper belt object.

 

[Loudmouth]

Ya ... ya.

Read the posts.

Read my posts.

 

[miknik5]

Pluto exists... I'll let those who work in relevant fields of science determine definitions.

Duplicate post

 

[miknik5]

Pluto exists... I'll let those who work in relevant fields of science determine definitions.

Let @lesliedellow know.
I do care about Pluto

whatever is fair for the other planets should be fair for Pluto

Regardless of his size

 

[miknik5]

Read my posts.

Loud mouth. I owe you an apology

All the back and forth is being done in fun. I know you were joining in and I had no right to expect anything different from you

I said that I am clear and straightforward

But what I have found on this particular forum isn't straightforward

So I, kind of joined in

 

[miknik5]

As I said before, understanding is the beginning of wisdom.

No that isn't the beginning of wisdom

 

[Loudmouth]

Let @lesliedellow know.
I do care about Pluto

whatever is fair for the other planets should be fair for Pluto

Regardless of his size

That's the whole point. The same criteria are being used for the 8 planets.

Also, I don't think Pluto has any emotions that can be wounded by how we categorize objects in our solar system.

 

[Paul of Eugene OR]

And it is not even NASA that makes the decisions.

It's the International Astronomical Union

But NASA can make a recommendation.

 

[miknik5]

That's the whole point. The same criteria are being used for the 8 planets.

Also, I don't think Pluto has any emotions that can be wounded by how we categorize objects in our solar system.

No I know. But unless you havent noticed, it appears that somehow on this particular forum defenses go up as if one is personally wounded and has to defend his position by joking around, insulting and wounding the other

I'm glad that I have learned to have a tougher skin

But really, it isn't an adult discussion when it resorts to personal silly comments and attacks

Not necessary at all

 

[miknik5]

What changed is our understanding of how planets form.

"When the solar system formed, much of the gas, dust and rocks pulled together to form the sun and planets. The planets then swept most of the remaining debris into the sun or out of the solar system. But bodies farther out remained safe from gravitational tugs of planets like Jupiter, and so managed to stay safe as they slowly orbited the sun. The Kuiper Belt and its compatriot, the more distant and spherical Oort Cloud, contain the leftover remnants from the beginning of the solar system and can provide valuable insights into its birth."
Kuiper Belt Objects: Facts about the Kuiper Belt & KBOs

Pluto is a Kuiper belt object.

Okay. But regardless of his size and distance, (in relation to the sun) he holds the same properties which were the criteria used to determine what makes a planet a planet

I'll have to go back to the reading. I forgot the one thing that distinguished Pluto

It is 70% ice and if his location were closer to the sun he would grow a tail just like a comet does?

Not sure

 

[HitchSlap]

So I, kind of joined in

This explains why you're so preachy-preachy?

 

[lesliedellow]

Let @lesliedellow know.
I do care about Pluto

whatever is fair for the other planets should be fair for Pluto

Regardless of his size

Ah, poor little Pluto.

I bet London Bridge is feeling disgruntled because Tower Bridge gets all the attention from the tourists. I mean, it's just not fair, is it?

 

[miknik5]

This explains why you're so preachy-preachy?

Hey. There you go again
I don't even know what you mean by that

But here you are proving my point