View Single Post
  #23  
Old August 17th, 2006, 08:28 PM
Cipher7071's Avatar

Cipher7071 Cipher7071 is offline
Second Lieutenant
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 482
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cipher7071 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: OT: The solar system has 12 planets

It would seem that the barycenter for two perfectly spherical bodies would never move. But, if either or both were oddly shaped and rotating, then the barycenter could shift somewhat.

I find the definition of a pluton that depends on the object's origin compelling. Otherwise, how to decide according to size or orbit seems abitrary to me. They shouldn't spend too much time arguing over it, as much of the argument is semantic.
__________________
The great tragedy of science...the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact. (T. H. Huxley)
Reply With Quote