New Dwarf Planet Discovered Far Beyond Pluto's Orbit

space.com ^ | 07/11/2016

[BenLurkin]

Pluto isn't quite as lonely as scientists had thought.

Astronomers have discovered another dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, the ring of icy objects beyond Neptune. But this newfound world, dubbed 2015 RR245, is much more distant than Pluto, orbiting the sun once every 700 Earth years, scientists said. (Pluto completes one lap around the sun every 248 Earth years.)

"The icy worlds beyond Neptune trace how the giant planets formed and then moved out from the sun," discovery team member Michele Bannister, of the University of Victoria in British Columbia, said in a statement. "They let us piece together the history of our solar system."

...

The exact size of 2015 RR245 is not yet known, but the researchers think it's about 435 miles (700 kilometers) wide. Pluto is the largest resident of the Kuiper Belt, with a diameter of 1,474 miles (2,371 km).

The research team first spotted 2015 RR245 in February of this year, while poring over images that the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Hawaii took in September 2015 as part of the ongoing Outer Solar System Origins Survey (OSSOS).

"There it was on the screen — this dot of light moving so slowly that it had to be at least twice as far as Neptune from the sun," Bannister said.

[Tax-chick]

Today's kitten lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

[Covenantor]

[Tax-chick]

It’s an X.

[Covenantor]

it's that MS webp format in the previous one,

[Tax-chick]

Cute picture. I don’t trust that one on the left.

[Covenantor]

They are all rescue animals. Jake, the pit bull was locked in a crate because the owner no longer wanted him.

For more great pics see:

http://m.imgur.com/gallery/pdkof

[Covenantor]

same dog and duck dentist...

[Tax-chick]

Cute story. I hate to think what that duck is eating, though!

[null and void]

Demon Coffee

[Monkey Face]

Sometimes, I think I’m too polite. But I’d rather be too polite than rude. I thank my late mother for instilling the politeness in my little soul, because it has lasted me all my life. And some days, it actually pays off! :o])

[Monkey Face]

Oh, man! I forgot to congratulate Bill! WOW! I’m terrible! (At remembering things, even when they are right in front of my nose!)

Congratulations, Bill! <3

[Monkey Face]

LOL! That was me forty years ago, but these days, when I drink it, it’s usually decaffeinated, though I can’t tell the difference. I’ve always been able to drink a cup of coffee before bed time and sleep like a baby. (Before decaf became available to the public.) It just has no effect on me.

These days, I might have a cup or might not. I love the smell when it’s brewing, but I think I like it better cold than hot.

[Monkey Face]

Why are you up so early? Not that I care...it’s just odd is all.

[Monkey Face]

Ooohhh...pluppy squee!

Morning, T-c.

It is morning, I believe, though when I stepped out to take some trash to the Dumpster, I saw Orion in the southern sky and thought again how beautiful the Universe is, and how perfectly designed. I should be able to see much more of it in St George, away from the sky glow of town.

[null and void]

Evil spirits?

[Monkey Face]

See? They’re just like cooties, and you probably got them when you came to visit. They often lie dormant. ;o]

[NicknamedBob]

"They often lie dormant."

I solemnly swear that I am up ...

[null and void]

Prolly more recent, and related to moving this weekend...

[null and void]

...to no good.”

[Not A Snowbird]

I want to go to Malaysia and get her.