Tenth Planet
October 4th 2007 02:59
Hubble image showing Eris with Moon on left of image
After decades of speculating and searching for a tenth planet the search is finally over.
We now have a tenth "planet" It was originally designated 2003 UB313 called Xena until an official name could be chosen. Pluto has lost its planet status due to a new discovery of a new planetary body larger than Pluto. For many years Astronomers theorized that a 10th planet was in existence but with only Earth based telescopes would be difficult to find.
After much deliberation the name Eris was chosen and given the classification of a dwarf planet. Eris is basically a 19th magnitude object asteroid that turns out to be 27% more massive than Pluto, and like Pluto has a Moon making it the largest and the most massive known member of the Kuiper Belt found to this date. The Kuiper belt.
The Kuiper Belt is a region in our outer solar system where many short-period comets ) originate. This region begins beyond Neptune's orbit and encompasses an estimated distance of between 30 and 100 astronomical units. There may be as many millions Kuiper belt comets in this region of space.
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
But since Pluto was dethrowned as as planet doesn't this then become the ninth planet?
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
You are technically correct it depends on which point of view you happen to subscribe too. Here is where it gets a bit political some astronomers believe that Pluto is still a planet and that Eris is a dwarf planet. Personally I think Pluto should retain its planet status.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
What a pathetic name! We need a name with guts, power, muscles!
Mars is a good one, but taken of course...so maybe along those lines, since everyone on Earth is intent on creating a new global conflict...maybe Crusher...or Megatron...or....what about....NUBIS??? or [B]PLANET X!!!!!!![??????/B]
Some have been saying such a planet, larger than us maybe, is on the way in after a long eliptical orbit of some thousands of years...and they call Kali the Destroyer....what about KALI????
cheers
fog
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Sure anything other than Eris. Some people have no imagination when it comes to naming celestial objects I would have prefered Vulcan teehee
Cheers