Hi folks, long time no see.
I know that Seti and space sciences are no longer the main topics of interest in this forum now, but I'm hoping that there are enough of the original Seti folks, and those interested in space sciences in general that this post won't be out of place.
I'm sure you've all heard the news about Pluto losing it's status as a planet, and are aware that more than a few interested parties do not agree with the decision for various reasons.
When the announcement was originally made, I read about it on http://spaceweather.com, after reading the article that was posted at the time, and the rules as laid forth by the IAU as to what would define a planet from now on, I sent an email to the webmaster of the site, asking him if he had any thought as to the status, specifically the fact that one of the supposed new guidelines required:
Yet Neptune had kept it's status as a planet, even though the orbit of Pluto intersected with the orbit of Neptune.
Today I received a response from him:
I personally think that it is incorrect that only 5% of the worlds astronomers should be able to make a change of this magnitude, and that the situation has not been considered fully, when you take into account that Neptune is considered to be a planet, yet does not meet all of their guidelines.
I personally think that the whole situation needs to be looked at in much more detail before making such a sweeping change.
Yes, I admit that Pluto is very small in size, and it would open the door for other bodies to be recognised as planets if Pluto is reinstated, however, I think that the decision was made by too few people with too little consideration.
If any of you are interested enough, perhaps you could take a couple of minutes to have a look at the site that Dr Phillips has put up, and maybe sign the petition, either for or against the current situation.
Regards to you all,
Mark.
I know that Seti and space sciences are no longer the main topics of interest in this forum now, but I'm hoping that there are enough of the original Seti folks, and those interested in space sciences in general that this post won't be out of place.
I'm sure you've all heard the news about Pluto losing it's status as a planet, and are aware that more than a few interested parties do not agree with the decision for various reasons.
When the announcement was originally made, I read about it on http://spaceweather.com, after reading the article that was posted at the time, and the rules as laid forth by the IAU as to what would define a planet from now on, I sent an email to the webmaster of the site, asking him if he had any thought as to the status, specifically the fact that one of the supposed new guidelines required:
Yet Neptune had kept it's status as a planet, even though the orbit of Pluto intersected with the orbit of Neptune.
Today I received a response from him:
I personally think that it is incorrect that only 5% of the worlds astronomers should be able to make a change of this magnitude, and that the situation has not been considered fully, when you take into account that Neptune is considered to be a planet, yet does not meet all of their guidelines.
I personally think that the whole situation needs to be looked at in much more detail before making such a sweeping change.
Yes, I admit that Pluto is very small in size, and it would open the door for other bodies to be recognised as planets if Pluto is reinstated, however, I think that the decision was made by too few people with too little consideration.
If any of you are interested enough, perhaps you could take a couple of minutes to have a look at the site that Dr Phillips has put up, and maybe sign the petition, either for or against the current situation.
Regards to you all,
Mark.