Message boards :
Science (non-SETI) :
Plutos Moon has a name.
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SciManStev Send message Joined: 20 Jun 99 Posts: 6658 Credit: 121,090,076 RAC: 0 |
http://www.wmur.com/news/entertainment/Live-long-and-prosper-Vulcan-wins-Pluto-vote/-/9857564/19144036/-/1yxpvgz/-/index.html Steve Warning, addicted to SETI crunching! Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group. GPUUG Website |
Lynn Send message Joined: 20 Nov 00 Posts: 14162 Credit: 79,603,650 RAC: 123 |
A flotilla of 10 or more tiny undiscovered moons might lurk in Pluto's orbit, complicating a spacecraft's planned flyby of the distant dwarf planet in 2015, new simulations suggest. NASA: Pluto may have 10 undiscovered moons Pluto may have some more neighbors, according to astronomers. The mini-planet may have upwards of ten additional moons, all of which are currently undiscovered, say astronomers. The finding comes as a result of simulations run by NASA, part of an attempt to safely guide its spacecraft’s flyby of the distant dwarf planet in 2015. |
Lynn Send message Joined: 20 Nov 00 Posts: 14162 Credit: 79,603,650 RAC: 123 |
Where do you draw the line between moons and orbiting asteroids? I don't think anything 1/2 mile in diameter could sensibly be called a moon. I agree, anything 1/2 mile in diameter could sensibly be called a moon. The Kuiper belt might extend closer to the Sun, with hundreds of bodies like Pluto/Charon. As it stands, the latter are just the lucky ones which by their very existence imply just how effective has cleared its orbital neighborhood. New Horizons spacecraft, still has to go thru the kuiper belt. |
Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 12273 Credit: 8,569,109 RAC: 79 |
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Akio Send message Joined: 18 May 11 Posts: 375 Credit: 32,129,242 RAC: 0 |
Pluto's still a planet in this cruncher's book. :D |
Bob DeWoody Send message Joined: 9 May 10 Posts: 3387 Credit: 4,182,900 RAC: 10 |
Where do you draw the line between moons and orbiting asteroids? I don't think anything 1/2 mile in diameter could sensibly be called a moon. Mar's two "moons" are small and at least one of them looks like it must be a captured asteroid. In my 63 years I have never heard any scientist refer to either as anything but a moon. As far as Pluto is concerned I have no problem with it's current designation as a dwarf planet. Bob DeWoody My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events. |
Akio Send message Joined: 18 May 11 Posts: 375 Credit: 32,129,242 RAC: 0 |
Well it's got a moon for cryin' out loud, heh. Oh well. It's still there, whatever it's designation is, dwarf or otherwise. |
Michael Roberts Send message Joined: 20 Aug 99 Posts: 2588 Credit: 791,775 RAC: 0 |
A flotilla of 10 or more tiny undiscovered moons might lurk in Pluto's orbit, complicating a spacecraft's planned flyby of the distant dwarf planet in 2015, new simulations suggest. Here is the NASA article which is not behind a paywall. |
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