Will Pluto become a planet again?

Will Pluto become a planet again?

Depriving Pluto of the status of the planet in 2006 is still controversial. But the latest study gives a new definition, which not only returns him to his previous position, he will increase the number of “planets” in the Solar System to 110.

When the main definition of the concept of planets was adopted, the planetary scientists still angrily squeeze their fists at the mere mention of Pluto.

“This is how to talk about religion and politics in small talk,” said planetary geologist Kirby Runyon of Johns Hopkins University. “Some planetologists do not understand why we are so worried about this. Such questions are not discussed over a beer at a conference. ”

But Runyon doesn't care. In fact, he is so passionate about what a planet is that he acted as lead author of a new document that offers a new definition based on geophysics. It focuses on physical properties, such as surface characteristics instead of external orbital characteristics, which are used by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) as the main criterion formulated almost 11 years ago.

Runyon and co-authors, including Alan Stern (chief investigator of the New Horizons mission to Pluto), are going to present their report at the 48th Lunar and Planetary Scientific Conference in March.

The new document defines planets as “sub-stellar massive bodies that have never undergone nuclear fusion and have enough of their own gravity to assume a spheroidal shape that roughly describes a triaxial ellipsoid, regardless of orbit parameters.” In short, the planet is something round in space, not a star.

Although this definition is really simple (in contrast to the intricate requirements for the release of orbital zones), the authors believe that it “corresponds to sound scientific classification and human intuition”.

But their definition will lead to the fact that in the Solar System there will be more than 110 planets. And the earth Moon will enter there, as well as 18 other satellites, several asteroids and numerous objects in the Kuiper belt.

And how will students remember all these planets?

Runyon says they will not have to. Instead, you need to focus on the organization of the solar system.

“Understanding the natural organization of the solar system is a much more informative process than rote memorization,” the document says. - “Learning the zones from the Sun and the types of planets with small objects in each is the best approach.”

Many believe that the IAU definition system has many flaws, as it does not concern exoplanets or wandering “rogue planets”, and the requirement for the orbital zone also does not satisfy.

Last year, Stern did not stint on the opinion on this topic.

“Astronomers do not act as experts in the field of planetary science, and they have created such a flawed classification of planets that it excludes even Earth from the list,” he said. - “A week later, hundreds of planetary scientists, more than on voting, signed a petition against the new definition. If you talk to planetary scientists, almost everyone will call Pluto a planet. ” Runyon agrees with this.

“They call many circular objects planets, including Pluto and Titan,” he said.

Runyon says a new definition can and should be used without ratification by the IAU.

“We don’t have to give them power to indicate what is a planet,” he said. “Let's do justice: IAU serves a great goal in astronomy and does a lot of useful things, but they shouldn’t get into the work of planetary scientists.”

He also noted that some planetologists were humbled, while others did not care.

“For some reason, they are completely indifferent,” he said. “That’s why I bring this matter to the public’s attention in order to raise the general interest.”

He is often asked the question: “If Pluto is no longer a planet, then why send a vehicle to it?”.

The paper states that “non-planets” do not cease to be interesting for study, only because of a change in definition.

Runyon said he wants to present a document at the upcoming Lunar and Planetary Scientific Conference in section K-12, because he is trying to awaken consciousness in teachers who can spread his thoughts further.

“I will win their minds while they are still young!” He says with a sly smile.

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