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Planet of the Apes
Aug. 18th, 2006 11:08 pmI'd like to discuss the new "definition of the planet" being proposed by the IAU. I posted much of this to the VTSFFC mailing list yesterday, but for the benefit (or detriment) of everyone else, I'm reposting it here.
The definition is "A planet is a celestial body that (a) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (b) is in orbit around a star, and is neither a star nor a satellite of a planet."
( Here is a lengthy, and somewhat technical explanation of why I think the definition is a poor one. )
Just remember Stephen Colbert's mnemonic. My Very Educated Mother Just Said Uh-oh! No Pluto.
The definition is "A planet is a celestial body that (a) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (b) is in orbit around a star, and is neither a star nor a satellite of a planet."
( Here is a lengthy, and somewhat technical explanation of why I think the definition is a poor one. )
Just remember Stephen Colbert's mnemonic. My Very Educated Mother Just Said Uh-oh! No Pluto.
