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To: Pyro7480; SunkenCiv
Well, the Pluto-Charon system has its barycenter outside of both bodies, so it could be argued that the Pluto-Charon system is a double-planet

The article seems to indicate that the IAU is leaning toward this view as well:

"... Charon, once considered a moon of Pluto but now described as its double planet ... "

24 posted on 08/15/2006 8:13:24 PM PDT by annie laurie (All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost)
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To: annie laurie; SunkenCiv

Ooh, thanks for the ping! I hope this proposal is approved. I like it!


26 posted on 08/15/2006 8:21:06 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Love is the fusion of two souls in one in order to bring about mutual perfection." -S. Terese Andes)
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To: Pyro7480; annie laurie

I think we should wait a few years for the probe to reach Pluto before we get used to calling it a double planet. That probe is going to give us the best show in decades, in my humble opinion. Tiny Pluto will be cratered, it is already known to have three moons, and probably has a mini-belt of asteroids of its own, hundreds or thousands of tiny moonlets. All of Pluto's moons are captures IMV; its distance from the Sun means Pluto's sphere of influence is wider, making it easier for capture to occur, despite its small size. :')


36 posted on 08/15/2006 8:44:44 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (updated my FR profile on Thursday, August 10, 2006. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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