Dwarf planet 27% larger than Pluto....

[KDOG]

Interesting. I wonder if it will get planet status.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: KDOG
Interesting. I wonder if it will get planet status.

no, it's a dwarf planet.

size is not what determines planetary status. the ability to clear it's orbit of debris is. and none of the kuiper belt objects has cleared the orbit of debris.

 

[Mr Incognito]

I thought size did determine planetary status but Pluto isn't a planet because alot of KBO are as big or bigger than Pluto. I think the size has a lot to do with the gravitational pull of a planet.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: KDOG
Interesting. I wonder if it will get planet status.

no, it's a dwarf planet.

size is not what determines planetary status. the ability to clear it's orbit of debris is. and none of the kuiper belt objects has cleared the orbit of debris.

That's a really vague definition, and it's clear that Pluto wouldn't have been a planet if it were discovered today. But since it's been considered a planet for so long and there is too much support to demote it, they tailored a half-assed definition to grandfather Pluto in while excluding similar objects.

 

[ElFenix]

a planet also has to be rounded by it's own gravity but not massive enough to cause nuclear fusion. (so, yes, size comes into it as asteroids are not massive enough to overcome their internal structure)

and no, pluto did not get grandfathered in as a planet. pluto is 1 of 3 known dwarf planets in our solar system (along with ceres and eris)

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
a planet also has to be rounded by it's own gravity but not massive enough to cause nuclear fusion. (so, yes, size comes into it as asteroids are not massive enough to overcome their internal structure)

and no, pluto did not get grandfathered in as a planet. pluto is 1 of 3 known dwarf planets in our solar system (along with ceres and eris)

Oh, so it did get demoted.

Now when I look at the definition of Solar System I see that it lists it as having 8 planets. Hmm.

 

[dug777]

Is it hawter than Uranus?

Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[DrPizza]

Nope, pluto's no longer considered a planet.


Pluto's response to this:
amusing