Downgrading the Planets

Xena and Gabrielle rule the skies!

Published on October 27, 2005 By singrdave In Astronomy

Upon the discovery of several new planets within our own solar system, astronomers are rethinking their criteria for planets. Among the new planets for consideration are such extraterrestrial bodies as Xena, Sedna, and Quarog (I hope I spelled that right).

Xena's discovery has prompted the International Astronomical Union to reconsider its definition of a planet. Currently it considers both Pluto and Xena to be trans-Neptunian objects, and says that until it has drawn up its new definition, that is what they will remain.

BTW, I love the name "Xena" and her moon, "Gabrielle".

"Astronomers at the WM Keck Observatory have identified a moon orbiting Xena, a body they argue is the 10th planet in our solar system. They have called the moon Gabrielle, after Xena's sidekick in the TV series 'Xena: Warrior Princess'."

An excellent choice for naming a planet, IMHO. Hope it stays.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Oct 27, 2005

I always like Charon. It just sounds so evil! Gabrielle may be Xena's side kick, but it lacks oomph!

singrdave

on Oct 27, 2005

I guess my point is that if Xena, Sedna, and Quahog (wait a minute, that's the name of the town from Family Guy) can't be labeled as planets, then Pluto shouldn't be either. Since Pluto is of middling size compared with these other outer-solar objects, which are also round and (in Xena's case) have visible moons.

We either have twelve moons or we have eight.

Phoenixboi

on Oct 27, 2005

It's interesting how Xena.. also known as Planet X was prophesised many years ago.. and now her moon Gabrielle.. all seems very apocalyptic to me... The angel Gabrielle coming down from the skies etc...

singrdave

on Oct 27, 2005

The angel Gabrielle coming down from the skies etc.

GABRIEL was a man, baby... a man! But I like the way you think.

Spc Nobody Special

on Oct 27, 2005

Now if they could just name one Sinbad, after Bruce Campbell's bit on the series.........

Completely off track, what was the name of that group you had on CD that did Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire as an acapella chorale?

Dr Guy

on Oct 28, 2005

Quahog (wait a minute, that's the name of the town from Family Guy)

It is also the name of a clam in New England.

singrdave

on Oct 28, 2005

what was the name of that group you had on CD that did Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire as an acapella chorale?

Umm, yeah... that's way off topic. That was the Bobs, it was from the album "The Bobs Sing the Songs of..."

And it wasn't a chorale, it was a quartet. Here's the link.

Spc Nobody Special

on Oct 28, 2005

Here's the link.

Thanks, I made friends with the guy who stole my job at the high school, and we're looking to do some barbershop type stuff. I started telling him about that song, and the Human Voice Show on KPIG in Monterey, and he said he just had to hear it.

I'm planning to chord out and write parts for a number of "church" themed songs, heh heh.........Stairway to Heaven, Highway to Hell, Knockin' on Heaven's Door, Seven Spanish Angels, In The Garden of Eden Baby (Actually, I was thinking we could do inna godda da vida like a madrigal), etc.

MasonM

on Nov 05, 2005

I've always wondered if Pluto could really be considered a "planet", but Xena, which has an orbiting moon and is larger, should probably be classified as the 9th planet and Pluto downgraded.

Until recently, I guess they just hadn't really needed a good working definition of "planet". It does strike me as a bit laughable that astronomy has never really properly defined many terms that are in daily use.

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