The big news this week: Pluto is no longer a planet. Nothing changed on Pluto; the definition of astronomical terms has. It will be reclassified in a new category of "dwarf planets," similar to what long have been termed "minor planets." The International Astronomical Union tried to make the decision by defining a planet. If they defined it one way, Pluto was out, but if they defined it the other way, lots more objects in our Solar System would qualify. Pluto doesn't make the grade under the new rules for a planet: "a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a ... nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit." Pluto is automatically disqualified because its oblong orbit overlaps with Neptune's. Here’s an explanation that doesn’t get too long and involved.

Pluto responded with hurt feelings.

There I was, minding my own business, orbiting the Sun just like all the others. I got my little bit of atmosphere going, got a lot of ice. I was cool. I stayed out of everybody else's way, sometimes way out.

Then some eggheads on that uppity third rock -- they think they're so hot because they have "life" -- went and decided I'm not a planet anymore. What's up with that? My life is hard enough as it is.

This really puts the kibosh on one of my favorite mnemotic devices. I learned all the planets in order with the sentence “My very educated mother just served us nine pumpkins.” Now that will have to changed to  “My very educated mother just served us noodles.”  Not as funny. Can it be as memorable? So there had to be a contest to find a new mnemotic device for remembering the planets.
It also makes me wonder what affect this reclassification will have on astrologers. What planet is your house in?  ...Uh, none, its in Pluto.

Pluto has always had a reputation for being tiny, as far as planets go. This will give you an idea of the relative size of planets and former planets.

Worth 1000 has a Photoshop contest up about the fight to save Pluto’s Planethood.

Pluto lovers can buy the bumper sticker.

 Disney issued a response to the downgrading of their favorite puppy dog to dwarf status.

Although we think it's Dopey that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people Grumpy and others just Sleepy, we are not Bashful in saying we would be Happy if Disney's Pluto would join us as an eighth dwarf. We think this is just what the Doc ordered and is nothing to Sneeze at.

Skunkfeathers is concerned about Pluto's flatulence.

OUT THERE 

 
Pupil: "Please Sir! Did you hear that scientists have found life on another planet?"

Teacher: "What are you talking about?"

Pupil: "They found fleas on Pluto!"

JUPITER

 
Jupiter came down to Earth one day and decided to help these two criminals to rob a bank. Anyway, to make a long story short, they got caught and the three of them found themselves in court. The judge sentenced the two earthlings to fifteen years, and Jupiter was a bit shocked when he was sentenced to ten years.

"But your honour" said Jupiter, "I didn't even take part in the robbery!"

"Yes" said the judge. "But you helped them ... Planet!".

MAKE IT SIMPLE

 
A theologian and an astronomer were talking together one day. The astronomer said that after reading widely in the field of religion, he had concluded that all religion could be summed up in a single phrase. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," he said, with a bit of smugness, knowing that his field is so much more complex.

After a brief pause, the theologian replied that after reading widely in the area of astronomy he had concluded that all of it could be summed up in a single phrase also.

"Oh, and what is that?" the astronaut inquired.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star; how I wonder what you are!"

Thought for today: One of these days, you’ll get over the notion that the world revolves around you.  -Galileo’s mother

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