Pluto is now a plutino and a plutoid
A follow-up on a previous post is in order, since the International Astronomical Union (IAU) gave a new arbitrary designation to dwarf planets outside of Neptune's orbit. As opposed to calling it the No Ceres Club, they are calling these objects "plutoids." Apparently, committees were formed and had to convene during IAU conferences and everything. All that work to think up the word "plutoid." Great. At least I don't have to say "dwarf planet" as often, I guess.
Labels: astronomy
posted by Gilmore Girls Guy @ 10:30 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Finally our discussion in the Des Moines airport wasn't futile afterall!
;)
plutoid works for me...
So basically the first eight planets are planets and Pluto is . . . Pluto?
Great job, astronomers.
asad123.wordpress.com
Well, Eris is also a plutoid, but it is not a plutino. A few other objects are plutinos. In their defense, this is still new territory, since all of these objects beyond Neptune were discovered in the last twenty years.
Plus, Eris is bigger than Pluto, so if Pluto's in, we have ten right now.
I'm just going to be happy it's no longer "dwarf planet" because attaching the word planet to something that isn't a "planet" in their terms anymore just confuses the rest of us and must make it very difficult for the science teachers out there. Rah rah plutoids ;)
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