Planet X ?

[Wesh]

Whoah!!! Scientists may have discovered the solar system's 10th planet!

->>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/spacedocumentary/story/0,2763,1169671,00.html

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/03/14/planet.discovery/index.html

ok it seems like its a very small one though :) But if this is planet x ,,, then bring it on! :shot:

[lazserus]

This isn't Planet X, nor is it even a planet. It's just a large comet. Moved this to Science, Nature and History forum.

[AngelTV]

Laz,
What is the scientific definition of a planet and a comet. Is there are point of mass distinction between planet and comet?

[MetalMilitia]

They are calling this a 'planetoid' because they don't have these distinctions. It's either a large asteroid, or a small planet :D

-MM-:crs:

[lazserus]

The reason they call it a planetoid is because there are still a few arguments about whether or not Pluto is a planet. They say planetoid to keep the cry babies off their backs. This is NOT a planet.

What constitutes a planet?


Spherical due to self gravity
Atmosphere
Complex weather patterns


Large asteroids may have thin atmosphere due to their size, but they don't have one thick enough to contain weather.

[dutchie]

The reason they call it a planetoid is because there are still a few arguments about whether or not Pluto is a planet. They say planetoid to keep the cry babies off their backs. This is NOT a planet.

What constitutes a planet?


Spherical due to self gravity
Atmosphere
Complex weather patterns


Large asteroids may have thin atmosphere due to their size, but they don't have one thick enough to contain weather.
Ah. but then Mercury is toast (quite literally, heh heh), because only nr 1. applies...

[lazserus]

True. Those are just my interpretations. There's no scientific "cut-and-dried" definition of a planet. Scientists find it easier to define what is
not a planet. Typically, if the object is a satellite of a larger object, such as a known planet, it is not classified as a planet. As well, if the object is irregular in shape, or not spherical, it is not a planet.

Below is a good article describing the same thing, but with Pluto.

What is a planet? (http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=0009D053-74A9-1C72-9EB7809EC588F2D7&catID=3&topicID=2)

[Emerald_Dragon]

Is this new planet you guys talking about Sedna? [haven't looked at link]

Its supposed to appear red in the sky? and visible in 72 years? 10,000 year orbit? Is this or is this not Sitchin's Nibiru? It doesn't sound like it. But it makes his hypothesis plausible.

[Mr_W]

Nope, not planet X. It's orbit never comes by our neck of the woods.
Go here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Trans-Neptunian_object_2003_VB12.Sedna.orbit_comparisons .jpg)

[SeekNDestroy]

Apparently, this new one is probably larger than Pluto. And since neither has an atmosphere, surely this has a better case to be a planet?

Laz, don't some moons of Jupiter and Saturn fit your definition?

[lazserus]

Sedna is not larger than Pluto. It's about 2/3 the size. Mike, some of Jupiter's moons could be considered planets, yet they are satellites. Remember, if an object is a satellite of a planet, the object can not be classified as a planet.

[dutchie]

Sedna is not larger than Pluto. It's about 2/3 the size. Mike, some of Jupiter's moons could be considered planets, yet they are satellites. Remember, if an object is a satellite of a planet, the object can not be classified as a planet.

and - if I'm not mistaken - both Pluto AND Charon have an atmosphere. That of Pluto is frozen methane, mixed with nitrogen (98%) and traces of carbon monoxide. The density of Charon is quite different, so it must be concluded that they were formed separately. The rotation of Pluto is locked with that of Charon, so both see eachother in the face forever.

Here's a nice link, with lots of pics: http://www.solarviews.com/eng/pluto.htm