Define "Planet"

[Maf54]

It does, however, fit Thierry's definition of a planet. While I'm in Astronomy 101 please take Reading Comprehension 101.

[ktemkin]

Meh, this thread is an interesting enough debate; even if it is conceptually flawed. Even if a set definition of what a planet has been established, it's interesting enough to discuss what the definition should be- as it is being discussed here.

The thread is a respository of thought and opinion, and if you don't see a point in said thread, you simply can choose to overlook it.

[Maf54]

I'm intested in what the established definition is. From what I understand some scientists don't believe that Pluto is a planet.

[Caesar]

A nonluminous celestial body larger than an asteroid or comet, illuminated by light from a star, such as the sun, around which it revolves.

The Dictionary is best at defining things.

[damian]

When it comes to astronomical definitions, only the IAU holds weight in the matter. From what I remember, it has no definition for a planet (yet).

[Maf54]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trust a common dictionary to discuss scientific matters in great detail.

[Jadam]

It does, however, fit Thierry's definition of a planet. While I'm in Astronomy 101 please take Reading Comprehension 101.

Whatever, you win.

[Jadam]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trust a common dictionary to discuss scientific matters in great detail.

Nor would I trust you to understand scientific matters in any capability.

[Maf54]

Nor would I trust you to understand scientific matters in any capability.

That's why I don't pretend to know what I'm talking about.

[James S]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trust a common dictionary to discuss scientific matters in great detail.

Nor would I trust you to understand scientific matters in any capability.

Coming from a man who thinks it was cool to post a picture of himself smoking indian drugs. He probably thinks that psychology is a science, too.

[Jadam]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trust a common dictionary to discuss scientific matters in great detail.

Nor would I trust you to understand scientific matters in any capability.

Coming from a man who thinks it was cool to post a picture of himself smoking indian drugs. He probably thinks that psychology is a science, too.

Hookah is arabic. And it's also tobacco.

Yes of course psychology is a science O_o


FYI: Im double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Physics and getting a minor in Philosophy... just an FYI.

[RICoder]

I started the thread to discuss a legit scientific question, one that the IAU is discussing right now as well. Webster's is not going to give you the true and proper established scientific definition, ESPECIALLY because there is none.

The issue that they are having is that a lot of people "want" Pluto to be a planet, but in order for it to remain one, a lot of other bodies will have to get added to the list (like 32 I think).

Anyhoo, about the only thing any of the scientists agreed on was that the definition should be as simple as possible.

[Andy]

A comet orbits in a highly elliptical orbit and ejects a gaseous cloud behind it... a planet doesn't....

Planets leave atmosphere in their wake as well, technically leaving a gaseous cloud behind them. :P

[James S]

It has the possibility to do so, such as Mars. But Earth's relatively uniform magnetic field prevents the bow turbulence of the solar wind from affecting the planet enough.

[Jadam]

A comet orbits in a highly elliptical orbit and ejects a gaseous cloud behind it... a planet doesn't....

Planets leave atmosphere in their wake as well, technically leaving a gaseous cloud behind them.

Yah but a comet ejects a significant amount of its mass, a planet does not.