M
MeteorWayne
Guest
In my next several posts here, I will try, in my own way to explain why I think pluto belongs in a different class then the "big" eight planets.<br />I'll discuss issues one at a time, with plenty of time for comment, then wrap it up at the end, whenever or wherever that is. <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> No one issue makes the case, rather it is the totality that clarifies things. I could do one big long one, but that's too much to wade through, and besides, it's clearer to discuss them individually.<br />No matter what, Pluto resides at the border between "planets" and what I'd rather call "minor planets" than dwarf planets. The exact nomenclature is not important. What will (hopefully) become clear is why pluto doesn't quite make the cut, IMO.<br /><br />OK, first subject- size.<br /><br />I have listed the top 27 or so largest heliocentric objects in the solar system. As far as I know. At this time.<br />By my own definition, I have not considered satellites.<br />If it orbits a planet, it's a satellite, even if it's big. It's my presentation, so that's my choice <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> There are other valid points of view.<br />This is only for objects that orbit the sun in "independent" orbits.<br />As for the Pluto/Charon "binary object" discussion, we'll cover that later. Please bear with me.<br /><br />The chart below lists those objects in decreasing diameter, in kilometers. Thanks to Kevin Heider in the "Should Pluto be excluded from Solar System models now?" thread for inspiring my examination.<br />For the Big Eight, sizes are pretty well established.<br />Pluto's size is well known due to occultations.<br />All other sizes are estimates of varying degrees of accuracy. When there are differing estimates I have used the smaller ones, to give ol' Pluto the benefit of the doubt. Also, be aware that estimates can change, new objects are discovered daily, and I may have made a boo-boo here and there despite my best efforts.<br /><br />The first column is <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>