Astro-image of the day: Dwarf planet Eris is bigger than Pluto

[mckitterick]

So new evidence shows that "dwarf planet" Eris is bigger than Pluto, adding more support for Pluto's demotion from planethood. It also has at least one moon, as you can see below. Eris sometimes even orbits closer to the Sun than Pluto does.

This doesn't make me happy, because Pluto has been a planet all my life, and it just feels wrong for it be knocked down this way. Nonetheless, it's currently a dwarf planet. Fellow Kansan Clyde W. Tombaugh discovered Pluto 77 years ago with a telescope he had built himself in his teens (he made the discovery in his mid-20s). That kind of story excites young folks and gets them interested in astronomy, so I was so irritated and sad when Pluto was yanked from the list of planets. *sigh*

But this new "dwarf planet" makes a pretty image:

Click the image to see the story.

Best,
Chris

Comments

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Ah, but Heinlein still named Tombaugh Station after him in Have Spacesuit, Will Travel.

:)

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

True! He's immortal.

[cba1282zyx.livejournal.com]

The story of discovery is still amazing though. Besides, it's not a planet by definition, you can call it what you want and publish so many articles calling it that so scientists will be forced to change the definition and title again.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

That is true - you can take away Pluto's status, but you can't erase Tombaugh's legacy.

Also... hmmm, y'know, all this controversy might just make Pluto all the more interesting.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned, all this means is that we now have a ten-planet solar system.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I like your perspective!

[renegade500.livejournal.com]

Hey, size isn't everything! I support Planethood for Pluto would make a great bumper sticker.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I'd put that on my... um, pickup or scooter!