Originally posted by jjw:
Hi Mike:
I think it is an unfortunate distinction. The benefit to the "namers" is that they can use that designation for all mid-sized objects that will be discovered. When they discover a Mercury size object they can play the game all over again.
jjw
Well possibly. My personal opinion is that they have unfortunately renamed Pluto as a 'Dwarf Planet', so everyone now thinks that it has been renamed for being so small in diameter.
Although it is smaller than our Moon, a Planet is a Planet in my book, however small, as long as it correctly circles the Sun?
I believe it was reclassified after much thought, and voting.....because it crosses the orbit of Neptune, in its travels!
It might have better been called a 'trans-obital planet?
A name that would better distinguish it from any other tiny planet (if found?) even further out from Pluto. Were it found to be in a more conventional circular non-crossing orbit?
Its a moot point anyway.
Question....How much smaller than Pluto does a dwarf planet need to be, before it gets down to being renamed as Micro? Hehehe.