Eris Is Larger Than Pluto

[Dubh Aingeal]

When it was discovered in 2005, some thought Eris should be considered the 10th planet of our solar system. Everyone still considered Pluto a planet then. At first, Eris was thought to be slightly larger. Now — with the help of Eris' moon — Eris is known to be 27% more massive than Pluto. If Pluto had remained a planet to the entire community of astronomers, surely Eris would be considered the 10th planet.

[Msterbeau]

My belly is larger then Pluto.

[Homicidalheathen]

My BUTT is bigger than pluto.......wait.....let me rephrase that......that did NOT sound good.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

It's rounder at least...

[BrassFusion]

Why can't we adopt Eris anyway, and that'll be the dividing point between planerary and dwarf status? Then we won't have to spend all that money to replace all those posters, we can just scribble out "Pluto" and write in "Eris." Same with the little model orreries we sell at work. They all still have Pluto on 'em.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

I'm good with calling anything large enough to reach whats called "hydrostatic equilibrium" a planet.

That is, its so large that instead of being some random odd shape, the gravity of the object yanks it all together forms it into a sphere. The fact that this one has hydrostatic equilibrium AND its own little planet was fine for me. Poof planet number 10. Then they had that conference and decided on "dwarf planets" and labeled this one a dwarf planet, ok fine case closed. No planet number 10.

Basically nothing will ever be called a planet outside of pluto if this conference resolution holds since its very unlikely to find a thing that fits the bill out there between the Kuiper Belt and the Ort Cloud. But "dwarf planet" seems like a horrible choice of names. If they are trying to say its "not really a planet" they shouldn't have used the word planet. Also bad for science in general i think, people get excited when they see "new planet" if we basicly close the case on new planets (which this essentially does) then that wont happen.

As a side note i don't think any average joe describes "larger" as "more dense". Thats what they are saying. "This newbie planet it is MORE DENSE than pluto." So what, Saturn is so light it would float in water if we had a big enough bowl. Couldn't actually find a comparison of the diameter of Pluto vs Eris. (which would be more relevant)

You know the fuckin thing is far away (and pretty small) when the dang Hubble only sees it as ONE AND 1/2 pixels wide.

[Fierce Critter]

Kuiper Belt...Ort Cloud.

I just know you're getting SOMEONE off with that kind of talk...

[Troy Spiral (13)]

Not that all that many people care but if you take a minute or two and look at this here (its a bit busy but makes its point after a minute or so of investigation:

Oort Cloud & Kuiper Belt

Note pluto / Kuiper belt in figure 2. Then the massive distance from there, to the orbit of Sedna. Sedna is another possible new planet. Then the insane distance from there, to the inner edge of the oort cloud.

The Oort Cloud is the area where many comets orbit, and is considered the "final edge" of the solar system.

Another view:

Oort & Kuiper Part 2

[Fierce Critter]

It's not getting me off. But hey, rock on.

[Onyx]

I really hope our souls get to fly through space after we pass on because I want to see all this stuff in person.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

It's not getting me off. But hey, rock on.

When i was little and learned about the sun / planets the teacher i had also included the Asteroid Belt, The Kuiper Belt and The Oort Cloud as "standard" stuff that all us little brats should know along with the sun/moon/ 9 planets. So, its always just been second nature to me. The oort cloud in particular since that is "the end" of the solar system. "Kuiper Belt" isnt any more exotic in my mind than "mars" is.

I could tell you didn't give a shit, i just figured if them terms meant nothing to you, there might be others that they meant nothing to also, so i'd give an explanation. It did not even occur to me that it might be exotic terminology until i saw your response.

[Fierce Critter]

I could tell you didn't give a shit, i just figured if them terms meant nothing to you, there might be others that they meant nothing to also, so i'd give an explanation. It did not even occur to me that it might be exotic terminology until i saw your response.

I was kidding. I actually find this stuff interesting.

I just know, however, there are people out there who REALLY get off on this stuff. Like, planet-porn and stuff.

[BrassFusion]

I'm good with calling anything large enough to reach whats called "hydrostatic equilibrium" a planet.

That is, its so large that instead of being some random odd shape, the gravity of the object yanks it all together forms it into a sphere. The fact that this one has hydrostatic equilibrium AND its own little planet was fine for me. Poof planet number 10. Then they had that conference and decided on "dwarf planets" and labeled this one a dwarf planet, ok fine case closed. No planet number 10.

Basically nothing will ever be called a planet outside of pluto if this conference resolution holds since its very unlikely to find a thing that fits the bill out there between the Kuiper Belt and the Ort Cloud. But "dwarf planet" seems like a horrible choice of names. If they are trying to say its "not really a planet" they shouldn't have used the word planet. Also bad for science in general i think, people get excited when they see "new planet" if we basicly close the case on new planets (which this essentially does) then that wont happen.

As a side note i don't think any average joe describes "larger" as "more dense". Thats what they are saying. "This newbie planet it is MORE DENSE than pluto." So what, Saturn is so light it would float in water if we had a big enough bowl. Couldn't actually find a comparison of the diameter of Pluto vs Eris. (which would be more relevant)

You know the fuckin thing is far away (and pretty small) when the dang Hubble only sees it as ONE AND 1/2 pixels wide.

saturn may be less dense than water, on average, but due to its GINORMOUS FUCKING VOLUME, it's probably still massive enough to be included in the planet category. it certainly has that hydrostatic equilibrium shit you mentioned... a lot of scientifically certifiable enormous objects have low density and can still float in water.

like yo mamma. isn't her name "hydria anastasia e'quillibria?"

(i had a long day at work =) )