In the first open discussion of the redefinition of the meaning of planet (held today in Prague), the proposal set forth by the Executive Committee of IAU was voted down by planetary scientists by a vote of 60 to 40! According to a report that I read, "most of the...
It appears so! According the redefinition of the meaning of planet, Pluto and Charon would be the only double planet system in the Solar System. At least according to the proposed redefinition. According to IAU's new definition, a "planet is a celestial body that (a)...
On Tuesday, August 22 at the International Astronomical Union Conference in Prague, the IAU Executive Committee will hold a general meeting to discuss the meaning of the concept of planet. As in an earlier post, the definition that has been proposed, and that will be...
We recently traveled to New England by air for a family visit, and to attend antiques shows held during the "New Hampshire Antiques Week." Because of the terrorist threat in London, we decided to drive back to Georgia traveling from Concord, New Hampshire, through...
I recently heard a science teacher say that the astronmers' current debate and formulation of a new definition for a planet was great because it could be used to teach students about the nature of science. Right on! In a recent New York Times article, Dennis Overbye...
Since the recent bill proposed by the Senate to support embryonic stem cell research through NIH funding, and the subsequent veto by the President, considerable discussion has ensued from each side of the issue. Today's issue of Time Magazine has as its featured...
