h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, scientists have decided that Pluto is no longer a planet [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/5282440.stm]. This afternoon, I edited our entry on Pluto - A387182 - and added a new paragraph to explain this foul treachery.

This ongoing battle between magic and science will never be truly resolved, simply because every time science uncovers new facts that take away a little magic from our lives, magic responds by coming up with something even better. Like why jam and peanut butter go together. Or ham and pineapple. Science can't explain that away - magic all the way!

In the meantime though, we're one planet down, when we could have been three more up. We could have all been sending in suggestions for a new name for object 2003-UB313. Personally, I would have liked to see it named 'Mavis', 'Sidney', 'Bill' or 'Sandra' - a nice, normal name that would annoy the astronomers who'd want to give it some awful portentous name like 'Icarus' or 'Ariadne'.

I do love the myseries of science and the focused dedication of scientists. I just wish, sometimes, their research could uncover something that felt more like magic for us mere mortals.

Never mind, Pluto. You'll always be a planet to us.

That and a yellow dog in Disney cartoons...

Traveller in Time trying to find the definition of
"
must be in orbit around a
must be large enough that it takes a nearly round shape
has cleared its orbit of other objects


It seems the former 'Pluto' fails on the last requirement, it can (and will ?) collide with 'Neptune'. Leaves me wondering if then 'Neptune' has cleared its orbit . . .

The new class of objects is to be called 'dwarf planets'. Can I vote for the mane Sleepy for this 2003 UB313 object ? "

I've got to explain all this to my grandson, after I taught him until he could recite all the planets, not so long ago!

It's only what we call them - it doesn't mean anything in the long run.

*All* the planets, GB? Like Plortas, Zimflah and Squook?

Okay, I made them up. It's Friday.

Ooh, planet Friday...

I'd like a planet called 'Nowhere'. And I'd like someone to go on a mission to its core, just so we actually know where the middle of nowhere actually is.

You've never been to Dumpton Park then?

Someone has to suggest Rupert; it's only right.

There was a "Professor" talking on the news over the weekend, about the craft which has just crash-landed on the Moon.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5309656.stm

He said "the twin planets Earth and Moon" and I almost fell off my chair.

The Earth and Moon are "twin planets" now? When did this happen, and how did I miss it?

That scientist's just acting up because he's over-tired. Just ignore him.

Meh. In my opinion, the planets can only be defined by enumerating the set of planets. Makes me a tiny bit less sorry to have given up astrophysics...

I wonder what Patrick Moore's opinion is on all this.