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[David]

[David]

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.

[JRM4833]

Wow. That's pretty cool.

[fourtysixandtwo]

Haha, now i can kick my science teacher in the face!

[Jason.Spade]

How are planets currently classified? Was Pluto ever decided upon? I seem to recall it haveing a moon orbiting around it that is almost its size. I think the term biplanet would be necessary. Perhaps I have a faulty memory.

Dreams are a funner placer to live anyway, with my head in the stars...

[superchick]

That's pretty cool. Now I think we need EVEN MORE government funding for space, because dammit we should have discovered that atleast 20 years ago. Billions since then for what!? Failed exploration and blown up spaceships? LOSERS! Ok, that takes away from what I really think. I think it's cool. I think if we really want to spend money on space, than this what we should have discovered before, not space exploration is pretty damn risky.

[Sid]

That's pretty cool, even if it isn't considered a planet, it's damn cool.

[Mightier Than The Sword]

Jason.Spade wrote: How are planets currently classified? Was Pluto ever decided upon? I seem to recall it haveing a moon orbiting around it that is almost its size. I think the term biplanet would be necessary. Perhaps I have a faulty memory.

Dreams are a funner placer to live anyway, with my head in the stars...

Pluto has a moon, Charon, which is not the same size at all. It could be a binary planet but that seems doubtful to me.

[Jason.Spade]

Forgive my ignorance. I suppose that I do have a faulty memory.

[pikers]

superchick wrote: That's pretty cool. Now I think we need EVEN MORE government funding for space, because dammit we should have discovered that atleast 20 years ago. Billions since then for what!? Failed exploration and blown up spaceships? LOSERS! Ok, that takes away from what I really think. I think it's cool. I think if we really want to spend money on space, than this what we should have discovered before, not space exploration is pretty damn risky.

Trillions for how many failed social welfare programs? How many soon-to-be demolished projects?

At least the space program accomplishes something.

[Jason.Spade]

Consider the insurmountable understatement of the following:

Space is big- really big.

Finding a planet that is smaller than Pluto and with a longer and farther orbit than Pluto seems difficult enough to have been recently achieved. Planets aren't bright like stars (usually), and all in all aren't entirely noticeable among their brighter counterparts.

However, one thing that does riddle me: how, exactly, does this recent discovery alter our view of the solar system other than making it larger? Does this allow for a more specific view of gravitational patterns?

Perhaps it would be better for me to ask for information. Can anyone recommend any reading where I can quickly and thoroughly learn about space, gravity, the space-time continueum (forgive my spelling), stars, and other astronomical and/or cosmological aspects?

[grim]

Mightier Than The Sword wrote: Jason.Spade wrote: How are planets currently classified? Was Pluto ever decided upon? I seem to recall it haveing a moon orbiting around it that is almost its size. I think the term biplanet would be necessary. Perhaps I have a faulty memory.

Dreams are a funner placer to live anyway, with my head in the stars...

Pluto has a moon, Charon, which is not the same size at all. It could be a binary planet but that seems doubtful to me.

Pluto's diameter is 2,274 kilometers (1413 miles); Charon's diameter is 1,172 kilometers (728 miles). Close enough.

[[Bible]Monkey]

Pffft-I spotted that planet two years ago with my 10x50 binoculars and "real hard squinting" . It's not named "Sedna" -I named it [Bible]Monkey-opia . :)

-
Kidding aside , that is an interesting discovery. Almost every night I go outside and look at the stars before sacking out. Next time you go out on a clear night, try this:
How to tell time by the Big Dipper

Time = Dipper Clock Reading - 2 X (number of months after March 6)

[Nnamath]

Can we send democrats to this new planet? They seem to live in their own world already, this gives them a place to spread their crap.

:P

[grim]

hannerhann wrote: Can we send democrats to this new planet? They seem to live in their own world already, this gives them a place to spread their crap.

:P

Cmon!! Everybody knows that it's Republicans that spread crap... then the Democrats feel sorry for the crap and...even though the crap does nothing useful... try to send it a generous monthly cheque to keep it happy. :]

[PSmentality]

Very Interesting. I'd very much like to know more about the planet.

[Warmonger]

"Very Interesting. I'd very much like to know more about the planet"

Well.... I hear it's really cold.

[grim]

PSmentality wrote: Very Interesting. I'd very much like to know more about the planet.

www.rushlimbaugh.con is apparently reporting packs of spiky-handed liberal space beasts - collecting welfare for extended periods of time and trying to raise money to halt badly needed oil exploration in the northern area of the new planet. :]

[Mapmaker15]

I'd rather not meet their leader.

[antiprefix]

That's so awesome, I think it's a planet. althought I'm no expert.