[meteorite-list] 2003 UB313 Reignites a Planet-Sized Debate

[MexicoDoug at aol.com]

Chris P. wrote:

<< no matter how the IAU defines "planet", the 
 vast majority of the lay public will continue to use the term as I defined 
 it above, meaning that when scientists use  >>

I heartily second your proposal Chris on the grounds that scientists, if you 
could call bureaucrats that, are light years out of their jurisdiction when 
they try to solve an answer which never quite found the problem it is supposed 
to solve.  If anyone actually hijacks the meaning of the world planet from the 
will of the people, to limit its use in the name of pseudoscience or to force 
work to be easier on a lexographer, I would personally reject that broadly.  
Over zealous lumper and splitter taxonomists in many sciences trying to 
speciate subjective messes beyond any conceivable scientific use should go out and 
discover an asteroid or something if they really want to make a name for 
themselves...not shove down the public's throat what the public already knows.  2 
centavos worth.  And Vesta is a Planet btw:), at least in the eyes of many 
beholders...

Saludos, Doug