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NOVA scienceNOW1 Moderator
Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 64
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Post subject: 10th Planet Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:43 pm |
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| A new discovery is causing a stir in astronomy circles and some confusion over planet labeling. Beginning at an early age, people learn the order and names of nine planets in our solar system. Now, with the recent discovery of 2003 UB313—currently nicknamed “Xena”—that line-up is being called into question. Discovered in January 2005 by Caltech astronomer Michael Brown, Xena is an object bigger than Pluto, has its own moon, and is three times farther away from the Sun. But is Xena a planet? What makes something a planet, and who should get to decide? If Pluto dropped off the list of planets, would you miss it? |
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