Neptune does not clear Pluto's orbit.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

There are about 100 other unnamed objects in our solar system - that are LARGER than Pluto. Why aren't they all planets?

I've done some searching over the past couple days, and try as I might I can't find any unnamed solar system objects larger than Pluto, and only 16 named objects (by volume; Eris is slightly more massive but has a smaller radius). Do you have a source for this? Even NASA says the largest unnamed object yet discovered, 2007 OR10, is "about one-third smaller than Pluto."

[NeilBlanchard]

There was a report on NPR this morning, about a new small object that they recently found a small object waaaaaaaaay out there. It is about 200 miles in diameter, and it has an asymmetrical and out of the plane, too. It's orbit takes about 40,000 of our years.

The other thing they mentioned, was that the best explanation for the irregular orbit of this new object (and many others out there) is that we may have a VERY LARGE planet even farther out.

The first thing I think of is, that maybe that large planet is that it may become a rogue planet?

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/02/65345...g-implications

[freebeard]

It was reported on Suspicious 0bservers too. The supposition there was that there could be hundreds of these.

The orbit is reported to be uncertain enough that it could be an extrasolar object. They could do a few loops before flying off again.*

edit:
*I'm starting to question if this is possible. Maybe not as a two body problem, but adding a third body?

[Xist]

In Joe Scott's recent video of little gaseous celestial objects of color he said that astronomers needed to classify objects that were smaller than planets and Pluto fit better there.

I think that is the best excuse that I have heard. By the way, he mentioned scientists trying to find that mythical large ninth planet that they call X. Someone commented "[cries in Roman]."

Does anyone remember who the Ixians were from Dune?

[All Darc]

These orbit graphic representations are very wrong in scale, since if you would put real proportion of orbital distances, Pluto would not fit in your monitor.
I once saw a size analogy of planets in relation to the sun, using a school soccer field, placing the filed center as the SUn's location. While the first two planets or so was inide the circular center of the soccer field, you would need to take a car and run several blocks until get into the right distance of pluto to the center of the field.

[freebeard]

https://www.altonbakerpark.com/solar-system/

Eugene is host to its very own scale model of the solar system. The project began in 1990 when a father attempted to demonstrate the distances involved in our solar system to his son. Due to the amount of local support the project received, the father-son team decided to install a permanent piece, complete with metal celestial bodies and plaques. The model begins in Alton Baker park, which is home to models of the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars. Though it is a perfect 1:1,000,000 replica, the model extends far beyond the Park, with Pluto lying over 3 ½ miles away. The model planets all lie along the bike paths extending from Alton Baker park, and thus is an easy bike ride to tour the solar system. This is an excellent way to show the size of our solar system, enjoy nature and get a workout all at the same time.

[redpoint5]

So because it's small and far it's not a planet?

Scientists just need to admit they have a hard time agreeing on a definition, or that there are edge cases where a distinction is difficult to make... and just because there are edge cases which blur the lines doesn't mean we abandon the category altogether (like we're tempted to do with gender).

I just read about the amount of light at Pluto, and it's around 60 Lux, which isn't too bad. The author said it's about the brightness of commercial stairwell lighting.

https://www.johndcook.com/blog/2018/...read-on-pluto/

Pretty interesting. I wonder how far away you'd have to be before you could no longer read a book using sunlight?

[freebeard]

Scientists can't distinguish between comet and asteroids. ...and those things that phase from the one to the other.

[oil pan 4]

The moon should be considered a planet and earth and "moon"a binary planetary body known as earth a and earth b.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The moon should be considered a planet and earth and "moon"a binary planetary body known as earth a and earth b.

I thought you were going to end that sentence;

... and Bernie should live on earth b.