[Sciotecha] Tenth (dwarf) planet named for goddess of discord
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Frimlin
Sep 20, 2006, 2:19:51 PM9/20/06
to scio...@googlegroups.com
[http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn10081-former-tenth-planet-named-for-goddess-of-discord.html]
A large icy object that helped spark the debate over Pluto's status has officially been named Eris, after the Greek goddess of discord.
The object had been known as 2003 UB313 since its discovery was reported in 2005 by Mike Brown of Caltech in Pasadena, US. It is slightly larger than Pluto, which prompted Brown and others to refer to it as the 'tenth planet' and generated debate about what should be considered a planet.
Now, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has settled on an official definition of planet, which demotes Pluto to a new category of "dwarf planets".
The IAU has now approved Brown's suggested name, Eris, for the dwarf planet formerly known as 2003 UB313. In Greek mythology, Eris caused a fight over a golden apple, which led to the Trojan War.
The IAU has also approved Brown's suggested name of Dysnomia for Eris's satellite, which is about a tenth Eris's size (see Moon discovered orbiting tenth planet). Dysnomia is the goddess of lawlessness and Eris's daughter in Greek mythology.
[Comment: Yes, I'm finally back posting again... ~ Ed.]
Only part of the text from this article have been posted -- read more @ NewScientistSpace.com.
--
Posted by Frimlin to Sciotecha at 9/14/2006 10:22:00 PM
A large icy object that helped spark the debate over Pluto's status has officially been named Eris, after the Greek goddess of discord.
The object had been known as 2003 UB313 since its discovery was reported in 2005 by Mike Brown of Caltech in Pasadena, US. It is slightly larger than Pluto, which prompted Brown and others to refer to it as the 'tenth planet' and generated debate about what should be considered a planet.
Now, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has settled on an official definition of planet, which demotes Pluto to a new category of "dwarf planets".
The IAU has now approved Brown's suggested name, Eris, for the dwarf planet formerly known as 2003 UB313. In Greek mythology, Eris caused a fight over a golden apple, which led to the Trojan War.
The IAU has also approved Brown's suggested name of Dysnomia for Eris's satellite, which is about a tenth Eris's size (see Moon discovered orbiting tenth planet). Dysnomia is the goddess of lawlessness and Eris's daughter in Greek mythology.
[Comment: Yes, I'm finally back posting again... ~ Ed.]
Only part of the text from this article have been posted -- read more @ NewScientistSpace.com.
--
Posted by Frimlin to Sciotecha at 9/14/2006 10:22:00 PM
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages