fatalist Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3511678.stm Astronomers discover 'new planet' Sedna, Nasa Sedna is currently about 13 billion km from Earth Astronomers have detected what could be the Solar System's 10th planet. It was first seen by astronomers using California's Mount Palomar Observatory, and has been given the name "Sedna" after the Inuit goddess of the ocean. Observations show it measures about 1,180-2,360km (730-1,470 miles) across, making it similar in size to Pluto. Astronomers now say they have evidence that Sedna has its own moon, although this needs to be confirmed, and is also very red in colour. There is likely to be some debate about whether it qualifies as a true planet, but some scientists are already saying it re-defines our Solar System. Further than Pluto Sedna, or 2003 VB12, as it was originally designated, is the most distant object yet found orbiting our Sun. It is three times further away than Pluto (average distance to the Sun is 5.9 billion km or 3.6 billion miles). It was discovered using the Mt Palomar facility in November by astronomers from the California Institute of Technology, Yale Observatory and the Gemini Observatory. Dr Mike Brown of the California Institute of Technology, US, leader of the research team that found the body, said he did not believe it was a true planet. He suggested this "planetoid" is about half rock and half ice mixed together, but further work is needed to verify this. The scientists say that its rotation on itself is relatively slow, suggesting it could have a satellite in orbit around it. Follow-up studies by the Tanagra Observatory have measured the thermal radiation coming from Sedna to determine how hot it is, and therefore provide some estimate of its size. Researchers believe that Sedna's surface temperature is about -240 degrees Celsius (-400 degrees Fahrenheit). This estimate is uncertain but the object is likely to be between half the diameter of Pluto (2,360km or 1,470 miles) and Pluto's size; though some astronomers think it could be larger than the ninth planet itself. From the observations made so far, astronomers have determined Sedna's orbit to be a very large one. It is currently 90 times the Earth-Sun distance away (149 million km or 93 million miles), but its orbit can take it 10 times further away still. Small worlds Although Sedna could be a so-called Kuiper Belt object, its discoverers are unsure if it is as they consider it to be unlike any other object yet found. The KB contains hundreds of known objects and astronomers believe there are many more awaiting discovery. Most are small worlds of rock and ice but some could rival Pluto in size. KUIPER BELT OBJECTS Icy planetary bodies that orbit beyond Neptune in the distant region of the Solar System More than 400 such objects are currently known They are believed to be remnants of the formation of the Solar System and among the most primitive objects available for study In recent years, astronomical work has thrown up several big objects. Quaoar, found in 2002, is about 1,200km (745 miles) across. Ixion, discovered in 2001, is 1,065 km (660 miles) wide. Varuna, detected in 2000, has a diameter of approximately 900 km (560 miles). And only in February this year, scientists picked up the object 2004 DW, which is though to be 1,800km (1,120 miles) across. Is it a planet? The new discovery will reignite the debate about what constitutes a planet. One group of astronomers believe that Pluto is not a true planet but merely one of the largest of a vast number of minor objects in the outer Solar System. The alternative standpoint is that Pluto is a planet and those who believe that will have to classify Sedna as the 10th planet. The name Sedna has been provided by its discoverers. However, if its planetary status is confirmed, it may be that astronomy's governing body, the International Astronomical Union, will want to reconsider this, to make it more consistent with the mythological names of other planets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Dazzle Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Don't you mean new "planet"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF1 Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarzAbove Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 :haha: I noticed after the 1st post too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azert Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Originally posted by Dr. Dazzle@May 1 2005, 02:59 PM Don't you mean new "planet"? Quoted post Observations show it measures about 1,180-2,360km (730-1,470 miles) across, making it similar in size to Pluto. This confused me before I realized the spelling mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villain Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 I'm confused... I was was told in gradeschool that they discovered a "Planet X" outside of Plutos orbit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skroez Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4501323.stm new planet seen out of our solar system.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatalist Posted May 1, 2005 Author Share Posted May 1, 2005 Originally posted by Dr. Dazzle@May 1 2005, 05:59 AM Don't you mean new "planet"? Quoted post snap, ya that's what i meant, how embarrassing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fermentor666 Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Does this new plant get you high? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF1 Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Originally posted by azert+May 1 2005, 12:44 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (azert - May 1 2005, 12:44 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Dr. Dazzle@May 1 2005, 02:59 PM Don't you mean new "planet"? Quoted post Observations show it measures about 1,180-2,360km (730-1,470 miles) across, making it similar in size to Pluto. This confused me before I realized the spelling mistake. Quoted post [/b] AOL news said it was 5 times the size of Jupiter. How can it be similar to the size of Pluto if it's 5 times the size of Jupiter??? :haha: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Leader Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 ^That's what you get for reading AOL news I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wAndEreR Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 :sick: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF1 Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 Originally posted by The Leader@May 1 2005, 11:00 PM ^That's what you get for reading AOL news I guess. Quoted post Point taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone gone forever Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 madness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopeizm Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 Originally posted by SF1+May 1 2005, 05:51 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SF1 - May 1 2005, 05:51 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'> Originally posted by azert@May 1 2005, 12:44 PM <!--QuoteBegin-Dr. Dazzle@May 1 2005, 02:59 PM Don't you mean new "planet"? Quoted post Observations show it measures about 1,180-2,360km (730-1,470 miles) across, making it similar in size to Pluto. This confused me before I realized the spelling mistake. Quoted post AOL news said it was 5 times the size of Jupiter. How can it be similar to the size of Pluto if it's 5 times the size of Jupiter??? :haha: Quoted post [/b] There has actually been 2 discoverys made recently, one is a planet in our own solar system and thats the one that is about the size of pluto.... the other planet which i think is the one you have heard about is actually orbiting another star outside our solar system... I'll try and find some more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone gone forever Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 yeh cheers hope, im quite intrested on this kinda shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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