Post by Augie on Sept 27, 2005 18:45:50 GMT
Hi folks,
As you probably know, there is a lot of debate over how many planets we have in our solar system. For years, that number was always 9. Recently, scientists downgraded Pluto to a "planetesimal". I agree with that downgrading. Pluto isn't really a planet. So, we have 8 planets, right?
Not so fast. Several months ago, there was much debate over the 10th large body discovered in our solar system (called "Sedna"). Sedna is just another planetesimal.
Recently, scientists announced the discovery of the 11th large body in our solar system. For now, it is called "2003 UB 313". It is another planetisimal. It is 1 1/2 - 2 times the size of Pluto. This creates a problem. If Pluto is a planet (as some people say - but I don't agree), then 2003 UB 313 must also be a planet (because it is even bigger than Pluto). Then Sedna must be a planet too. That would mean that we have 11 planets.
So, we have either 8 planets and 3 planetesimals (so far), or we have 11 planets. I agree with the former.
Any thoughts?
Augie
As you probably know, there is a lot of debate over how many planets we have in our solar system. For years, that number was always 9. Recently, scientists downgraded Pluto to a "planetesimal". I agree with that downgrading. Pluto isn't really a planet. So, we have 8 planets, right?
Not so fast. Several months ago, there was much debate over the 10th large body discovered in our solar system (called "Sedna"). Sedna is just another planetesimal.
Recently, scientists announced the discovery of the 11th large body in our solar system. For now, it is called "2003 UB 313". It is another planetisimal. It is 1 1/2 - 2 times the size of Pluto. This creates a problem. If Pluto is a planet (as some people say - but I don't agree), then 2003 UB 313 must also be a planet (because it is even bigger than Pluto). Then Sedna must be a planet too. That would mean that we have 11 planets.
So, we have either 8 planets and 3 planetesimals (so far), or we have 11 planets. I agree with the former.
Any thoughts?
Augie