Pluto demotion draws protest - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

theshark8777 · 09-02-2006, 10:51 AM

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (AP) -- Size doesn't matter.

That was the message as friends and colleagues of the late Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto, gathered on the New Mexico State University campus to protest the International Astronomical Union's recent decision to strip Pluto of its status as a planet.

About 50 students and staff members turned out Friday for the good-natured challenge. Some were wearing T-shirts and carrying signs that read "Protest for Pluto" and "Size Doesn't Matter."

Tombaugh's widow, Patricia, and their son, Al Tombaugh, also participated.

NMSU astronomer Bernie McNamara told the crowd that textbooks shouldn't be rewritten.

"Why not? Because the debate is not over," McNamara said.

The IAU determined last week that a planet must orbit the sun and be large enough to assume a nearly round shape as well as "clear the neighborhood around its orbit." Pluto's oblong orbit overlaps Neptune's, which led the IAU to downsize the solar system to eight planets from the traditional nine. (Full story)

McNamara argued that only about 400 of the union's thousands of members were present when the August 24 vote was taken.

"This was not a statement by the astronomical community at large," he said, adding that a petition opposing the IAU definition of a planet is circulating among the world's planetary scientists and astronomers.

Tombaugh was 24 when he discovered Pluto while working at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1930. He came to NMSU in 1955 and founded the school's research astronomy department.

His legacy is visible across the city, where an observatory, a campus street and an elementary school bear his name.

Some say Tombaugh's discovery was significant because it took 60 years for stronger telescopes to locate another object with an unusual orbit like Pluto's, and 73 years before scientists discovered a bigger object in the area.

"Clyde Tombaugh was an American hero," said Herb Beebe, a longtime colleague. "For that reason alone, Pluto's status as a full-fledged planet should be kept."

Ireneparalegal · 09-02-2006, 11:22 AM

I VOTE FOR PLUTO!

Central Perk · 09-02-2006, 11:34 AM

Yes it is sad that Pluto isn't a planet anymore, really I cried for days. However, if it doesn't satisfy the guidelines for being a planet then why should it be. Just because Big Clyde was an American hero? Should we still say the Earth is the center of the universe just because Claudius Ptolemy was a nice guy?

dlemond · 09-02-2006, 11:35 AM

Pluto is a planet.

I'm not sure what this guy is.

theshark8777 · 09-02-2006, 11:36 AM

They just changed the guidelines, they could have made it anything. Its been a planet for 76 years or something like that.

Mr. Television · 09-02-2006, 11:41 AM

Pluto will always be a planet to me.

09-02-2006, 10:51 AM	#1
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Pluto demotion draws protest LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (AP) -- Size doesn't matter. That was the message as friends and colleagues of the late Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto, gathered on the New Mexico State University campus to protest the International Astronomical Union's recent decision to strip Pluto of its status as a planet. About 50 students and staff members turned out Friday for the good-natured challenge. Some were wearing T-shirts and carrying signs that read "Protest for Pluto" and "Size Doesn't Matter." Tombaugh's widow, Patricia, and their son, Al Tombaugh, also participated. NMSU astronomer Bernie McNamara told the crowd that textbooks shouldn't be rewritten. "Why not? Because the debate is not over," McNamara said. The IAU determined last week that a planet must orbit the sun and be large enough to assume a nearly round shape as well as "clear the neighborhood around its orbit." Pluto's oblong orbit overlaps Neptune's, which led the IAU to downsize the solar system to eight planets from the traditional nine. (Full story) McNamara argued that only about 400 of the union's thousands of members were present when the August 24 vote was taken. "This was not a statement by the astronomical community at large," he said, adding that a petition opposing the IAU definition of a planet is circulating among the world's planetary scientists and astronomers. Tombaugh was 24 when he discovered Pluto while working at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1930. He came to NMSU in 1955 and founded the school's research astronomy department. His legacy is visible across the city, where an observatory, a campus street and an elementary school bear his name. Some say Tombaugh's discovery was significant because it took 60 years for stronger telescopes to locate another object with an unusual orbit like Pluto's, and 73 years before scientists discovered a bigger object in the area. "Clyde Tombaugh was an American hero," said Herb Beebe, a longtime colleague. "For that reason alone, Pluto's status as a full-fledged planet should be kept."
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

09-02-2006, 11:22 AM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I VOTE FOR PLUTO!
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

09-02-2006, 11:35 AM	#4
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Pluto is a planet. I'm not sure what this guy is. Attached Images

09-02-2006, 11:41 AM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Pluto will always be a planet to me.
	__________________ Sonny

09-02-2006, 11:34 AM	#3
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	Yes it is sad that Pluto isn't a planet anymore, really I cried for days. However, if it doesn't satisfy the guidelines for being a planet then why should it be. Just because Big Clyde was an American hero? Should we still say the Earth is the center of the universe just because Claudius Ptolemy was a nice guy?

09-02-2006, 11:36 AM	#5
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	They just changed the guidelines, they could have made it anything. Its been a planet for 76 years or something like that.