Posted on 03/19/2017 3:37:35 PM PDT by JimSEA
Solar system could have over 100 planets with new criteria Posted on March 19, 2017 by Kathy Fey Solar System A new classification system for what may be considered a planet would result in over 100 planets occupying our solar system. 178 SHARES ShareTweetGoogleReddit
Our solar system could contain over 100 planets if a new classification system is approved.
Tech Times explains that the definition of a planet was last changed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006 when the new criteria famously demoted Pluto from the rank of a planet to dwarf planet and Kuiper Belt Object. Space objects similar in size or larger than Pluto were discovered in Pluto’s neighborhood, and the discovery of Eris, which is larger than Pluto, contributed to the new definition of a dwarf planet.
The IAU criteria for a planet reads, “a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.”
Now, a group of scientists is proposing that the definition of a planet be changed to consider the object’s shape and behavior without considering the object’s location or other bodies that may share its orbit. The team points out that even Jupiter has not totally cleared its orbit of asteroids.
The group is suggesting a definition by which a planet is “a sub-stellar mass body that has never undergone nuclear fusion.” The object should possess enough gravitational pull to maintain a spherical shape, but any other space objects present in the planet’s surroundings are of no consequence in affecting the planet’s designation as such.
The newly proposed definition would reclassify objects such as Jupiter’s moon Europa and even Earth’s moon as planets. Pluto would be reinstated as a planet as well.
If the new definition were to be accepted, the solar system’s planet count would jump from eight to around 110.
If Jupiter is not a planet, what do we call it?
Think of the interplanetary wars we could have with 110 planets in our solar system!!
If Jupiter is not a planet, what do we call it?
Think of the interplanetary wars we could have with 110 planets in our solar system!!
That new definition would just lead to popular confusion, I think.
Popular confusion needs no help.
Pluto is still pissed off about its downgrade.
Does this now make it a Senior Planet like it used to be?
It’s those people that for stupid sentimental reasons want Pluto to be called a planet again, like they learned in grade school. Even though they’ve never seen or ever will see the tiny ball of ice they hold so dear, they betray the very soul of science over it by saying their feelings are more important than empirical data.
Why, yes. Earth has a gob of moons when the definition of “moon” is appropriately adjusted.
Now, how are we supposed to memorize all those names?
So all the asteroids are planets now?
A hyperplanet? An assistant sun?
Basically I guess many asteroids might qualify depending on their orbit. This definition is just a proposal and a poor one I’d say.
“Our solar system could contain over 100 planets if a new classification system is approved. “
Sorry. Approval or disapproval of a classification system does not make planets appear or disappear.
They are or aren’t planets, irrespective of the classification system.
Pluto is still pissed off about its downgrade.
How would you like to be replaced by babbling Daffy duck and his cousins?
Same liberal agenda — redefine EVERYTHING. Make everything lose its meaning. A planet could be a meteor if it wants to be meteor. Who are you to say it is not a meteor?
I think the definition is a good one. If a body has enough mass to become spherical, it should be called a planet. If it orbits another planet of greater mass than itself, it can be labeled a moon-planet.
Every asteroid gets a trophy.
If a body orbits a planet, it’s a moon. I don’t care how big it is.
On the other hand, I never did agree with denoting Pluto to a dwarf planet. It orbits the sun, and has enough mass to have pulled itself into a sphere. Other bodies that meet that description should also be designated as planets.
I think if an asteroid self identifies as a planet, then it’s a planet.
If a body isn't massive enough to have pulled itself into a spheroid shape, I'd say no.
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