[meteorite-list] Astronomers to Decide What Makes a Planet

[Greg Redfern]

In Roman mythology, Pluto (Greek: Hades) is the god of the underworld. The
planet received this name (after many other suggestions) perhaps because
it's so far from the Sun that it is in perpetual darkness and perhaps
because "PL" are the initials of Percival Lowell. 
 

Greg Redfern
NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador
http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/index.html
What's Up: The Space Place
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=421


-----Original Message-----
From: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of AL
Mitterling
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 9:40 PM
To: peregrineflier at npgcable.com
Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Astronomers to Decide What Makes a Planet

Hi Tom and all,

In Reality Pluto wasn't named after the cartoon character, rather it was 
a name picked out by the discover (and staff at Lowell) and having 
something to do with the afterlife. I'm not sure if the Dog Pluto was 
well know or even around at that time in 1930. This is a misconception 
by many.

--AL


Tom Knudson wrote:

Hi list, I think they should name all those outer planet "want-to-be's"
after carton characters, heck we already have Pluto, we can add Mickey 
and Mini, Daffy, Donald, bugs, porky, Sylvester and tweety!  :  )
Thanks, Tom

peregrineflier <><
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