According to the new definition of planet by the International Astronomical Union, the former ninth planet, is no longer a planet. Here is the new definition:

a “planet” is defined as a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

Pluto fails part “c” of the definition, because its oblong orbit overlaps with Neptune’s. So it is now classified as a “dwarf planet” along with some large interplanetary asteroids.

So can anyone propose a new mnemonic for remembering the planet names? How about… My very efficient mother just served us noodles?

What do you think?

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‘Disproportionate’ in What Moral Universe?

Quote from the article:

What other country, when attacked in an unprovoked aggression across a recognized international frontier, is then put on a countdown clock by the world, given a limited time window in which to fight back, regardless of whether it has restored its own security?

In perhaps the most blatant terror campaign from the air since the London Blitz, Hezbollah is raining rockets on Israeli cities and villages… Britain was never invaded by Germany in World War II. Did it respond to the Blitz and V-1 and V-2 rockets with “proportionate” aerial bombardment of Germany? Of course not. Churchill orchestrated the greatest air campaign and land invasion in history, which flattened and utterly destroyed Germany, killing untold innocent German women and children in the process.

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