ext_267575 ([identity profile] visage.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] astra_nomer 2006-08-16 08:34 pm (UTC)

There are all these objects that orbit the sun and they have a wide range of sizes and compositions and orbital parameters.

Well, sure, the question is if there's a description that applies to the eight and only to the eight (or ten... but 53?), and if there's such a description that isn't entirely arbitrary.

It would make sense to impose some kind of mass threshold, but even that would be arbitrary.

I gather that the proposed definition includes "massive enough to be round", which seems like a reasonably non-arbitrary threshold to me. ...but inadequate to cut out enough objects.

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting