Recently in Science Category
Astronomers have found a new object in our solar system, far out there -- even farther than Pluto. They have named it Sedna, after a goddess, and claim that it is a planet. It's almost 2,000 kilometers in diameter, compared to Pluto's 2,300. Apparently there's much debate as to whether or not this qualifies as a planet. Those who hold that Pluto is a planet will probably fight adamantly to prove this to be one as well. The question is, how much room for error is there? An object is only about a foot long until it's more like ten inches, right? But what if it's nine and three quarters?
Anyway, I know this has been around the news for a little bit now but if CNN.com can wait this long to post this article, so can I.
Now, for those of you wondering my point of view, here's what I think. I think we need to answer a question before we move on. Is it orbiting anything? If yes, what? If no, it defies the definition of a planet by not being a solar satellite. If it orbits the sun, we have something to discuss. And the answer to this question is one I've yet to see written, though I may just not be paying close enough attention.