A Few Thoughts on Pluto

...the dog.  No, just kidding.

I read this article on space.com today about Pluto's planetary status.  In particular, it discusses the continuing debate on whether Pluto deserved to lose it's status as the 9th planet in our solar system.  In 2006 there was outrage when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) declared that there are 8 planets in our solar system, and that Pluto was now called a  "dwarf planet."

There are a number of reasons for the disagreements with this decision, but the one I want to address is what I'll call the sentimental value arguement.  This is made by those who say that since they learned in school that Pluto was a planet, so it can't be demoted to something else.  To all 1.6 million in the Facebook group "When I was your age, Pluto was a planet" I say GET OVER IT.

For this is not the heart of the issue.  It's "emotion" rather than sense.  In the words of Dr. Spock, it is "not logical."  The fact is, now "America's favorite planet" is now part of an even more select group of 5 dwarf planets, including the troublesome Eris.  Eris is estimated by astronomers to be larger than Pluto and even farther from the sun.  According to Wikipedia it was touted briefly as the 10th planet.  The other 3 are not quite so large - but the IAU couldn't justify upping the planet count to 13 (and potentially more as the Kuiper Belt is explored more closely), because Pluto couldn't be demoted.

The creation of a new class of dwarf planets makes sense because Pluto, Eris, Ceres (actually in the asteroid belt, between Mars and Jupiter), Haumea, and Makemake are so relatively small, even to Mercury, that they don't have much in common with the rest.  It's estimated that many more dwarf planets may exist, astonomers just haven't found them yet.

To those who are still saddened by Pluto's reclassification, take heart that Pluto can still be enjoyed, and that soon it will be the first among many newly discovered heavenly bodies.


Kal

Happy Pi Day

(a.k.a. Cue the cleanup hitter)

Time to tie up some loose ends -- or rather, comment on some previous topics.  First things first, though.  Happy Pi Day (the day formerly known as 3/14).  We're celebrating by visiting Eric and Jill for homemade pizza pi.

Anyway, to follow up on the January post "On Public Smoking Bans," Monday was significant because Gov. Kaine actually got the deal done.  Yes, Virginia, starting December 1, 2009, the home state of Philip Morris USA, and the worlds largest cigarrette factory, smoking in bars and restaurants (with a few exceptions - private parties, patios, separate ventilation systems) will be PROHIBITED.  This one's for you, Gov. Kaine.

And, while NASA's Kepler spacecraft had a successful start to its mission, the Shuttle Discovery is having issues getting off the ground.  There's a leak in one of the hydrogen fuel lines that they just can't get fixed.  Next launch window is tomorrow...after that we're looking at April.  Here's hoping that we don't have to wait. Every delay makes our space program look older.  Where's that shuttle replacement when we need it?   Oh, here it is...just, you know, it isn't built yet, it's British, and it won't be designed for manned missions (at least to start...).  Anyway, this one's for you, Kepler Spacecraft -- I'm following you on twitter:  @NASAKepler

-Kal

Kepler is Away!

You may have not even heard, but there was an important launch last night from Cape Canaveral. NASA launched the Kepler spacecraft into orbit around the sun.

NASA's Kepler Portal

The Kepler spacecraft will follow Earth's orbit around the sun (it's "year," though, will actually be 371 days). It's mission is to seek out Earth-like planets orbiting other stars with it's camera, which sports an astounding 95 million megapixel array.

While Kepler won't be able to seek out new life, nor will it boldly go...anywhere, it will be able to tell us if planets like Earth -- rocky planets with an atmosphere and liquid water, able to support life as we know it -- are common. Are we unique in the galaxy? Kepler should be able to tell us.

Ultimately, if Earth is not unique, what does this mean? If there are other potentially habitable planets, especially nearby, I think that this could should spark a renewed interest in space exploration. Perhaps with Kepler's findings, we will be prompted to boldly go where no man has gone before.