Another planet(oid)!

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by CiverDan
I think Pluto must be demoted. But create a "Planetiod" category to account for all objects which are not planets or moons and speroid in nature.

I second the motion!

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by CiverDan
3. Make a special exception for Pluto, but just call new Objects KBO's only. Now we are making a classification of on object based on someting non-scientific in nature, the public sentiment regarding Pluto. I dont know if we want the IUPAC going down this path.

The IUPAC did this already in 1999 - demoting Pluto, and then un-demoting it as a direct result of public pressure. I doubt Pluto is going to go anywhere... and (3) is pretty likely in the scheme of things. But ...

[q=CiverDan]
End Result: I think Pluto must be demoted. But create a "Planetiod" category to account for all objects which are not planets or moons and speroid in nature. [/Q]

My preferred option - keep Pluto as planet or move to planetoid, not a big difference, and then indeed have a third category. "Planetoid", or even "Kuiper Planets" as essentially a third category of "inner system" (mercury-mars) and "outer system" (Jupiter-Pluto) ...