Loonie indeed.
It doesn't matter how they vote, the IAU simply doesn't have the
authority to define "planet" (they aren't the Académie française, after
all <g>). IMO they are fools for attempting to do so, as there is no
need for a technical definition. The ordinary users of English (and
other languages) have long since decided what the planets are- and that
they don't include Ceres (with its own history), nor Charon, nor any big
iceballs floating around in peculiar orbits far, far beyond Pluto.
At most, this will cause a few authors of technical papers to adjust
their jargon- and I'm not even sure of that.
Chris
*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sterling K. Webb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Sterling K. Webb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Ron Baalke"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Meteorite Mailing List"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 12:58 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] 'Plutons' Push Planet Total Up To 12
The IAU proposal for 12 planets is as follows:
1. Ceres 'cause it's big and round and orbits the Sun,
2. 2003UB313 ("Xena") 'cause it's big and round and orbits the Sun,
3. Charon, Pluto's Moon, 'cause it's big and round and orbits the Sun
and constitutes along with Pluto a DOUBLE PLANET system!
All other planetary bodies have to apply for membership
and present credentials, at some future date.
Still think the vote's a toss-up.
I predict the IAU will get some really nasty letters from the
Luna City Chamber of Commerce, demanding the the Earth-Moon
System be recognized as a DOUBLE PLANET, since it meets
all the criteria applied to Pluto-Charon System.
Those guys up there are, well, Loonie...
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