Points to Ponder

I figured I'd lighten things up a little today....

So Pluto is no longer a planet. Then what is it?

This week, the International Astronomical Union redefined the criteria for a planet. According to the IAU, a planet must have the following 3 traits (from NASA website):

1. It must orbit the sun.
2. It must be massive enough that its own gravity pulls it into a nearly round shape.
3. It must be dominant enough to clear away objects in its neighborhood.

So, since Pluto has an oval orbit (rather than a round orbit), and periodically cross the orbit of Neptune (thus not clearing away objects in its neighborhood), it is no longer a planet.

It is a dwarf planet.

So Pluto is still a planet, it is just not a planet, it is a dwarf planet. Interesting...

Which brings me to my next point to ponder.

Goofy and Pluto. Two apparent dogs, yet one walks upright and talks, while the other walks on all fours and barks. One of my favorite movie quotes is from one of my favorite movies, Stand By Me.

Gordie: Mickey is a mouse, Donald is a duck, Pluto is a dog. What's Goofy...?
Teddy: He's a dog, he's definitely a dog...
Chris: He can't be a dog, he wears a hat and drives a car...
Vern: Yeah, that is weird. What the hell is Goofy?

So it seems that people have been pondering the classification of Plutos and Goofys for decades. We finally have Pluto figured out. Now we just have to figure out Goofy...