Pluto on the chopping block

[CatWoman]

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) -- Nearly 2,500 astronomers from 75 countries gathered in Prague Monday to come up with a universal definition of what qualifies as a planet and possibly decide whether Pluto should keep its planet status.

For decades, the solar system has consisted of nine planets, even as scientists debated whether Pluto really belonged. Then the recent discovery of an object larger and farther away than Pluto threatened to throw this slice of the cosmos into chaos.

Among the possibilities at the 12-day meeting of the International Astronomical Union in the Czech Republic capital: Subtract Pluto or christen one more planet, and possibly dozens more.

But the decision won't be an easy one. Scientists attending the conference are split over whether Pluto should be excluded from the list of planets, Pavel Suchan of the meeting's local organization committee said.

"So far it looks like a stalemate," Suchan said. "One half wants Pluto to remain a planet, the other half says Pluto is not worth being called a planet."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/08/14/planet.meeting.ap/index.html?section=cnn_mostpopular

[Jed Dilligan]

1. As my talking Mork from Ork doll famously got stuck saying,

over and over again:

"I don't ever go to Pluto, it's a Mickey Mouse planet."

My question is which is sillier, that CNN polls its website users as to Pluto's planetary status or that 27% of the respondents want it rescinded.

[MrCoffee]

2. Call me when the astronomers start rampaging...

n/t

[SmokingJacket]

3. Eh, kick it out!

It's just a puny little iceball.

[CatWoman]

4. I dunno

I remember vividly in grade school (around 3d grade?), we had to memorize the names of the 9 planets.

Taking Pluto off of the list just doesn't seem right...........

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Compromise...

New objects similar to Pluto won't be considered planet, Pluto gets to keep an Honorary Planet designation and everybody's happy.

[CatWoman]

7. heh

we need to send you to Capitol Hill!!!

what a diplomat :D

:hi:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Capitol Hill?

I'd rather visit Planet Pluto.

:hi:

[CatWoman]

10. ROFL!!!!

:rofl:

good one!!

OK - let's send you to the UN to replace that disgraceful Bolton. :)

[Bake]

19. Dress warm if you go.

I hear it's chilly there.

Bake

[Botany]

15. Mary's violet eyes makes John stay up nights pouting.

Will always live.

[itzamirakul]

21. Not only doesn't it seem right, but what is going to happen to

Pisces or Scorpio or whichever astrological sign is ruled by Pluto? And what effect will the newly discovered heavenly body have on astrology? I would hate to think that I have gone 50+++++ years following the trends and pull/pushes of the wrong planet.

[CatWoman]

22. Yikes!!!

I'm a Scorpio.

Never thought of that!!

[itzamirakul]

23. Well see...if we have been following the wrong astrological

advice because of wrongly named and assigned planets, then we should be allowed to live life all over again to make up for the mistaken horoscopes..

(Just kidding! On my part you would find me hanging on to the edge of eternity and absolutely refusing to come back. God would have to stomp on my fingers to get me to let go and come back.....:crazy: )

[Skink]

6. Guess this will be decided by the Plutocracy.

[MrCoffee]

Nice one!

eom

[TahitiNut]

9. More respect for 2003 UB313!

:dunce: Stop disenfranchising 2003 UB313! :silly: Pluto is a dog!

[CatWoman]

11. If you don't vote for Pluto, your'e a terrorist sympathizer!!!

Cheney told me so, so it must be true!!!

:hi:

[TahitiNut]

16. I'm for Goofy! Long live Goofy! (aka 2003 UB313)

:silly:

[ronnykmarshall]

12. This the work of Neptunian activists.

They have been fighting for centuries to get Pluto off the planet lists.

[CatWoman]

13. RONNY!!!!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

"This the work of Neptunian activists."

[Exiled in America]

14. Wake me up when planet B612 is officially recognized. ;)

[Botany]

17. Seems a bit nasty to me

[CatWoman]

18. that's what you get for not neutering your pet

:P

[Cush]

20. Don't tell Mickey

edit: I see someone beat me to it

[dave29]

24. Just call it a planot

:)

[Nikki Stone 1]

25. Which side does Fox News come down on?

I'll vote the opposite.