a historic moment...
where ppl need to change a fact that they learnt it since young for the past 76 yrs...
where all geo n sci textbooks need to be rewritten...
there are only 8 planets as of now in the solar system..
Pluto is 'downgraded' to a 'dwarf planet'.
Reason: its orbit intercept the orbit of Neptune
actually there is no lack of argument about Pluto ever since it was discovered in 1930.
Main reason: it is too small, it is even smaller than our moon!! (& our moon is only the 4th or 5th largest moon in the solar system!!)
furthermore, its orbit is very eccentric as compared to the orbit of the other planets..
but most astronomers kind of close one eye when it comes to Pluto..
the incident that triggered hot debate is when Xena, the so-called 10th planet is discovered in 2003. it is larger and further away than Pluto. so if Pluto is considered a planet, shdnt we define Xena as a planet too??
so the purpose of this 26A International Astronomical Union is to come out with a universal definition of 'planet' as well as to decide if 3 other astromonical objects (Xena, Charon, cant rem e last one) shd be included as planets.
the latter agenda is still ongoing.. so there may be another historic moment in the next few days or so..
what me n my frens find puzzling is why the term 'dwarf planet'? imagine telling others, a planet is a planet but a dwarf planet is not a planet.. i think many ppl will go 'huh??' so why not come out with a new term to prevent confusion? but i guess it is also difficult to coin a new term ba..
all i can say is poor Pluto.. not only does it lost its status as a planet, it may also lose its moon as its moon in future.. its moon, Charon, is proposed to be redefine as a 'dwarf planet'. im really shocked when i read this last week.. still thinking of the rationale behind..
anyway one interesting thing to note. a mere 300 ppl actually change history. although approx 2500 astronomers/ scientists attended this union/meeting, only a small proportion of them (300) actually voted in the 'dwarf planet' issue.. talking about majority wins.. wat about those who din vote? what's their thoughts? can this majority (those who voted) reflect the thoughts of the true 'majority' (all astronomers, at least)?
