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.

[NoCmpromiz]

I’m thinking deep down he knew.

Yes..

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Romans 1:20

[NoCmpromiz]

I’m really off my game, here. I’m lost without the books I read...

Well, would a cup of coffee help?

[Monkey Face]

Oh, yes. By all means! As soon as I can find out where the handle went so I don’t burn my fingers...

[Tax-chick]

Potholder! I took Kathleen to the playground. She scampered in the woods with boys.

[NicknamedBob]

"I suspect we’ll all be surprised."

I would be surprised to even be surprised. Pascal's wager is a safe bet but it isn't a sure bet.

[NoCmpromiz]

Keeping with the season... ;-)

[Tax-chick]

And you thought my Spanish accent was bad ...

[moose07]

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

[Tax-chick]

[Monkey Face]

One of my favorite poems at any time of year! Thanks, Moosie!

[Monkey Face]

Kitten looks surprised. I owner if the mouse talked back to him?

[Tax-chick]

According to the poster, there are several other cats in the household, so that’s probably why this one looks astonished.

[Tax-chick]

And good morning! I've taken Bill the Son to the airport. We had a nice talk about music and fashion. He's such a bon vivant. I hope he and Anoreth will have some rain-free days to tour around.

OldTax-lady is going up to Pennsylvania tomorrow to visit my brother and sister-in-law.

[Monkey Face]

My fingers are too clumsy for this Nook. And I want to come home.

I’ve already had two minor run-ins with Lingo lover, and I can’t get warm. Hot showers are only temporary.

It I wanted to be alone I would have stayed in Henderson.

[Tax-chick]

I’ve had a thought about a Christmas present and will go up to Matthews in a while. Pat can come, too; he needs to get something for Sally.

Oh, there’s Pat, who is still 15 today. I’d only seen Frank and James.

[Monkey Face]

I guess we’re going to go someplace whenever everyone wakes up. Including the control freak.

Maybe I should be more gracious this time of year.

[ArGee]

Why was I expecting this to be the version where a liberal Santa Claus comes in to take half the family’s stuff to re-distribute it to a poor family in Harlem?

[Tax-chick]

You could sing them a happy song: “Good morning to you, good morning to you! Good morning, merry sunshine; good morning to you!” If Kathleen were there, she would beat on a coffee can with a wooden spoon.

I’m listening to a podcast while stitching a JESUS refrigerator magnet. Eventually, Pat will turn up, dressed, and then we’ll go shopping.

[moose07]

Environmental conditioning, perhaps?
It’s dark here, suns gone down.

[Monkey Face]

Where do you find Jesus refrigerator magnets to embroider? That sounds so relaxing.