Number of planets to change today!

[Markus]

Hi folks,

when you read this, there may be only eight planets in the solar system left! Icy Pluto will no longer be among them. 

Now don't worry. Pluto is not to be destroyed, or about to escape the solar gravity, or to be abducted into another dimension or something. Nah, this afternoon the International Astronomical Union is about to decide about a new definition of the term "planet". According to the proposed definition, Pluto will no longer count as a "real" planet but only as a "dwarf planet". Thus, after more than seventy years, the number of planets in the solar system changes again: There will no longer be nine of them, but only eight plus some crumbs.

Cheers!

Markus Astronomicus

[deathdancer]

So no stories about 10th planet anymore either 

[Lucy]

There will no longer be nine of them, but only eight plus some crumbs.

You mean the great Apocalypse?  

[Markus]

Hi deathy,

that's the reason why this new definition became necessary: More and more flying chunks of ice and rock were found in similar orbits as Pluto, some of them the same size or perhaps even bigger, and many more must be waiting out there for their discovery. How could we keep calling Pluto a planet and not recognize those others as planets 10, 11, etc. pp. ad nauseam?

Cheers!

Markus

[Markus]

Hi folks,

it's me again.

Now it's official. The IAU passed that resolution. Pluto is not a planet anymore! A reliable definition of "planet" - that's something to be celebrated! 

Cheers!

Markus Astronomicus

P.S.: I'm still going to a birthday party tonight, so an apocalypse is rather unconvenient. How about next Tuesday for that?

[Lucy]

Hi Markus,

Next week we will have to work from 8 am till 8 pm because of a new law  - I want the weekend free, so, how does Monday morning sound to you for the Apocalypse? Please do something!

(Good news that I'll be online practically all day  )

And I will miss Pluto as planet - though I know it's still there. How strange, depends only on definitions 

[Luth]

Yes, I knew about the dropping of Pluto as a planet on my vacations. A pity but... does a name change the reality? Pluto is still there, and we can name it a planet, a chunk of ice or a strange joining of dust: it's still the same. So... *going to erase the "9 planets" on her old old old student books*... when the Apocalypsis? Tomorrow I  to work again. Good day, don't you think? 

[Markus]

Eya Luthien,

nevermind if Pluto doesn't count as a planet any longer. You can put it on your list of dwarf planets to visit.

Apocalypse tomorrow does sound good to me. Goes rummaging for Surtur's phone number.

Cheers!

Markus

[The One]

I've heard the news too.
Now you Pluto &%&$!, you'll no longer bother kids with memeorizing your name for the Solar System planets tests! Only for the ones of dwarf planets.
Now, could we change the Apocalypse for the 30th? I have a Spanish project due on that day

[Lucy]

No, I need apocalypse right now! But don't be afraid, it will influence 30th too... Anyway, in case of some apocalyptic delay: good luck!