Re: [Utah-astronomy] IAU Draft Definition Of Planets And Plutons
Classifying Charon as a planet poses a knotty problem. It's true that it doesn't exactly orbit Pluto, that they are locked together and in effect orbit each other. But isn't that the case for all planet-moon systems?
If my spotty memory serves, the difference in the Pluto/Charon system is that the center of mass is outside the body of Pluto, differentiating it from the others you mention. Of course, my spotty memory may not serve...
Very good point -- now that I think about it, I bet that's the reason. Thanks, Joe
Classifying Charon as a planet poses a knotty problem. It's true that it doesn't exactly orbit Pluto, that they are locked together and in effect orbit each other. But isn't that the case for all planet-moon systems?
If my spotty memory serves, the difference in the Pluto/Charon system is that the center of mass is outside the body of Pluto, differentiating it from the others you mention. Of course, my spotty memory may not serve...
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participants (2)
-
Joe Bauman -
Michael Carnes