What new discoveries might change the ongoing debate if Pluto is a planet or not?

Arpeggionist

Well, that's also another thing that sets pluto apart from these other trans-Neptunian objects - Pluto has a moon, the biggest in relation to its host planet, in fact. (Unless you don't consider Pluto a planet, in which case the biggest moon in relation to its planet is our moon.) Not that having a moon makes a difference really (Mercury and Venus don't have moons). Nov 01 05, 1:22 AM

Arpeggionist

I was under the impression that in February 1999 it was decided finally that Pluto is in fact a planet. Even so, objects in the Kuiper belt which orbit the sun are measured in relation to Pluto, and so far not one object has been found in the belt that is larger. Nov 01 05, 7:09 AM

my_baby_love

With all due respect, Who in February '99 decided that Pluto is a planet? The fact is that different respected astronomers and scientific groups still take different sides on this debate. Nov 01 05, 7:17 AM

Flynn_17

Seems like it to me, Peas. Nov 01 05, 7:53 AM

Flynn_17

I'm assuming it's the fact that they have found Sedna and a new planet which is around the same size as Mars which also act in the same way? Nov 01 05, 11:52 AM

my_baby_love

No, Sedna and the "new planet" were discovered some time ago, these discoveries just occured. Nov 01 05, 1:17 PM

peasypod

To back up Arppy, I believe that it was a British astronomer Brian Marsden who, in 1999 brought up that debate. As for the new discoveries, I'm wondering if you mean the announcement in July 2005 of the Trans-Neptunian object called 2003 UB313? This tends to demote Pluto to becoming a minor planet, apparently. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_(planet) Nov 01 05, 3:44 PM

my_baby_love

I'm sorry, 2003 UB313 is not correct. Keep looking in scientific news even more current. Nov 01 05, 5:05 PM

peasypod

You asked Arppy who in 1999 decided that Pluto is a planet, I merely suggested Arppy may have been referring to Marsden. Nov 01 05, 5:36 PM

peasypod

Oh, and maybe the two new moons are what you're after? http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2005-10-31-pluto-moons_x.htm Nov 01 05, 5:43 PM

McGruff

While I'm trying to figure out what is or isn't an answer here, I want everyone to read the board rules. Nov 03 05, 6:47 AM