Astronomers declare that Pluto is not a planet anymore

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Come on guys (astronomers), throw us a bone here!. Cut it out with the is/isn't crap and decide once and for all!!!.

This is a planetary soap opera!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060824/ap_on_sc/planet_mutiny_7

Astronomers say Pluto is not a planet
AP - 22 minutes ago
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Leading astronomers approved historic new planet guidelines Thursday — downsizing Earth's neighborhood from nine principal heavenly bodies to eight by demoting distant Pluto. After a tumultuous week of clashing over the essence of the cosmos, the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of the planetary status it has held since its discovery in 1930.

[teegee420]

So there's one less "planet" that doesn't contain green women. If it doesn't have green women, I don't give a rat's ass.:P

[gadgetguy]

Well, there goes the neighborhood...

[zzyzzx]

Those astronomers are coming across as attention whores.

[rkr1958]

I'm pissed. Pluto has been designated a planet since 1930. Why can't the astronomers grandfather it in as a planet? Who are they to kick it out? Don't we (the common people) have any say here?

[Lucifers_Ghost]

To this I say ... until it has some direct inherent effect on my life, I couldnt care less .. even if I tried!

[yoda313]

To this I say ... until it has some direct inherent effect on my life, I couldnt care less .. even if I tried!

If you cared less you wouldn't have bothered posting about it

[AlecWest]

As soon as I read this, I started thinking of "There Is A Mountain," a 60s song by Donovan. To paraphrase the lyrics:

First there is a planet,
Then there is no planet,
Then there is.

When the pointy headed astronomers can't even make up their minds, I think the matter should be left up to a simple majority vote of all educators ... and let the astronomers stew in their own juices.

[AlecWest]

I'm pissed. Pluto has been designated a planet since 1930. Why can't the astronomers grandfather it in as a planet? Who are they to kick it out? Don't we (the common people) have any say here?

You're not alone. What follows is a quote from Alan Stern, head of NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto:

"It's a sloppy definition. It's bad science. And it ain't over."

Stern (a Pluto-is-a-planet guy) says that the International Astronomer's Union is far more divided on the issue than it appears. There are 2,500 members ... and only 300 cast a vote. I suspect a re-vote is forthcoming.

[AlecWest]

To this I say ... until it has some direct inherent effect on my life, I couldnt care less .. even if I tried!

2,200 non-voting astronomers (out of 2,500) agree with you. There will be an effect on people's lives ... but not that noticable. Basically, once this brouhaha is settled, textbooks used in schools around the world will have to be edited and reissued. And, the textbooks will have a pricetag (property tax levy in some states).

[NormaJ]

Ok, so if it's no longer a planet, then, what is it? I did not heard about this on the news.
Is it a mini-planet, is it an UFO, maybe a CheeseBurguer?

[Lucifers_Ghost]

They are referring to it as a "dwarf planet."

[Dv8ted2]

Ok, so if it's no longer a planet, then, what is it? I did not heard about this on the news.
Is it a mini-planet, is it an UFO, maybe a CheeseBurguer?

It is now being called a dwarf planet. I would like to go back to the school system and demand a refund.

[NormaJ]

I'm not trying to argument for fun, but dwarf is an adjective that defines how the thing (planet) is. Looks like we are still talking about a planet, even very small, dwarf...
I'm afraid you wont get your refund, Dv8ted2, hehehe

[AlecWest]

It is now being called a dwarf planet.

Hmm. Where's the politically correct media when you need them? It used to be OK to use the words "dwarf" or "midget" to refer to a short person. But now the politically correct term is "little people." Likewise (grin), I resent the use of the term "dwarf planet" and think it should be referred to as a "little planet" ... little, but still a planet ... just like little people are little, but still people.

[yoda313]

actually there is a votepluto website somewhere.....