The Pluto Petition

[Blue Fire]

Well, folks, here's your chance: A website devoted to The Pluto Petition. Cast your vote either way. It probably won't come to much in the end, but predictably the beat goes on. So far it looks like most people are voting to keep Pluto as a Planet by a wide margin. I have a sneaking suspicion that the IAU will ultimately end up taking into account the voice of the general public, right or wrong.

[stuart]

In my never humble opinion, I don't think they should take into account the position of the general public. I just don't think that sentiment should play a role in a "scientific" definition.

And as far as petitions go, first, most people like the status quo (change is bad!!!!), so they want to keep Pluto a planet. Second, remember that most people who are going to post to something like that are going to be complaining about something rather than supporting a decision. Just like when you try to find reviews on apartments (as I did last May), most reviews are bad because people only take the time to post if they don't like something.

[Blue Fire]

Originally Posted by stuart

[snip]
Second, remember that most people who are going to post to something like that are going to be complaining about something rather than supporting a decision. Just like when you try to find reviews on apartments (as I did last May), most reviews are bad because people only take the time to post if they don't like something.

But in this case, there appear to be a lot of complaints (again, right or wrong logically), on Both sides of the issue and in between to boot! And, there's that old adage "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Care to guess which wheel gets the grease?

[stuart]

I hope they change the definition, but I hope they continue to exclude Pluto. I guess that's the third wheel getting the grease.

[Dragon Star]

IMO, they need to **** and deal with the decision they made and quite being such pansies about this.

[dmill1220]

Originally Posted by Dragon Star

IMO, they need to **** and deal with the decision they made and quite being such pansies about this.

I agree! why is it such a touchy subject?
Im not concerned either way, isnt the IAU made up of some of Astronomy's presently Great minds?
Who brought this matter up to the IAU anyway?
I can see where some people might get upset about the new definition,
but as I see it, I'm no one to argue the matter either
Dennis

[Dragon Star]

In an ideal world, this isn't about Pluto at all, it's about clearly and officially defining a planet before it gets out of hand. This has been a debate for a long time now, but is just now getting public attention. I can't believe that people get so touchy over such indirect crap as a frozen rock while trying to find common ground on a simple definition.

I am going to compare this to trying to do a puzzle, and for every piece you place in, someone else is cutting up one of the unplaced pieces into halves...at this rate, we ain't gettin' no where.

[Blue Fire]

Does anybody remember when there were 18 planets?

[Dragon Star]

Originally Posted by Blue Fire

Does anybody remember when there were 18 planets?

I'm 17, so I can't say I do...

[stuart]

It's reasons like this that I love to read old astronomy books that are over 100 years old.