Alan Stern gives the IAU a piece of his mind
New Horizons’ principle investigator yesterday told the International Astronomical Union what he thinks of their definition of a planet:
“It’s bulls—,” he told Tech Insider (and said we could quote him on that).
The problem, Stern said, is that the reclassification largely stemmed from the opinions of astronomers, not planetary scientists. His beef here is that astronomers study a large variety of celestial objects and cosmic phenomena, while planetary scientists focus solely on planets, moons, and planetary systems.
“Why would you listen to an astronomer about a planet?” Stern said. He compared it to going to a podiatrist for brain surgery instead of a brain surgeon. “Even though they’re both doctors, they have different expertise,” Stern said. “You really should listen to planetary scientists that know something about this subject. When we look at an object like Pluto, we don’t know what else to call it.”
Stern’s opinion is not unique among planetary scientists. I have interviewed many, and read reports by others, which consistently say that they object strongly to the IAU’s definition. To them, if a object has enough mass to force it into a sphercial shape, it is a planet.
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New Horizons’ principle investigator yesterday told the International Astronomical Union what he thinks of their definition of a planet:
“It’s bulls—,” he told Tech Insider (and said we could quote him on that).
The problem, Stern said, is that the reclassification largely stemmed from the opinions of astronomers, not planetary scientists. His beef here is that astronomers study a large variety of celestial objects and cosmic phenomena, while planetary scientists focus solely on planets, moons, and planetary systems.
“Why would you listen to an astronomer about a planet?” Stern said. He compared it to going to a podiatrist for brain surgery instead of a brain surgeon. “Even though they’re both doctors, they have different expertise,” Stern said. “You really should listen to planetary scientists that know something about this subject. When we look at an object like Pluto, we don’t know what else to call it.”
Stern’s opinion is not unique among planetary scientists. I have interviewed many, and read reports by others, which consistently say that they object strongly to the IAU’s definition. To them, if a object has enough mass to force it into a sphercial shape, it is a planet.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Planet Pluto. Period.
Neil ‘coup’ Degrasse Tyson will not be happy with your opinion. That arrogant ass said he didn’t care if the IAU classified Pluto as a planet. He wouldn’t recognize it because Pluto is a Kuiper Belt object. It’s difficult to do proper work when Hollywood scientists stick their know it all attitude on television.
Tyson’s existence and success, poor scientist as he is, speaks more badly of today’s society than it does of him. He is the person our media and public has decided to anoint as their representative of science. Worse, even after he is exposed as having done faulty work, falsifying quotes and facts, he continues to be supported and touted.
I find it somewhat bothersome that we as collective conciosness continue to fight and squabble over such mundane and what I call needless bullying.. I just think mankind could be putting it’s energies into something better than trashing on Neil regardless of any opinion.. I’m actually surprised that everyone’s not talking about the Kardashian empire or why Bruce’s transgender? I mean really people can we please get it together here. A higher state of conciosness is within our grasp please let’s work together for a main purpose and way of life that doesn’t have to do with mass marketing starvation and viagra mixed with depression and nicotine? Let us learn to become the amazingly beautiful lifeforce we deserve to be. #GLOBALPEACEoneLove
So I guess to you, telling the truth and getting the facts right doesn’t matter. Tyson is your hero, and he can do whatever he wants, no matter how egregious, and you will support him blindly.
This doesn’t seem to me to a very good basis for a just society. Blind loyalty to bad behavior will only encourage bad leaders who will do bad things. You might want to think about this a bit.