On Aug 24, 2006, at 5:33 PM, John D. Giorgis wrote:
--- John Horn wrote:
What I don't understand is why they couldn't just say "here are the
new rules and Pluto gets grandfathered in as an exception..."???
I think the question is - why would they want to?
I think that the term planet is most useful if it clearly defines some
well-defined set of objects. It seems like the astronomers settled
upon
a definition for a distinct set of objects, and Pluto simply
doesn't fit
that definition. I don't know what useful purpose would be served by
"grandfathering", other than sentimentality...
I think you hit the nail on the head: we like our itty bitty planet way
out there on the edge of nowhere.
Dave
Reprinting Textbooks Maru
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
