Astronomers are proposing a new way to define planets, almost 20 years after Pluto was reclassified. This new definition would include specific criteria, such as the planet’s mass, while still keeping Pluto as a dwarf planet.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) currently defines a planet as a celestial body that orbits the sun, is round due to gravity, and has cleared its orbit of smaller objects. However, this definition has been criticized for being vague and not specific enough.
The new proposal focuses on the mass of the object rather than its roundness or orbital path. By using a method called unsupervised clustering, astronomers were able to group the eight planets in our solar system based on their mass. This new definition aims to be more logical and unbiased in classifying celestial bodies.
One of the key points of the new proposal is dynamical dominance, which can be determined by the planet’s mass. This sets a lower mass limit on what qualifies as a planet, excluding Pluto due to its lower mass. The mass of celestial objects larger than a certain threshold is typically spherical due to gravity, aligning with the current definition of a planet.
Despite the new proposal, there may be pushback from the scientific community. The proposal will be presented at the IAU General Assembly in August, with the hope of sparking further discussion on the topic. The astronomers behind the proposal believe that it is important to come up with better definitions for terms like “planet” in order to accurately classify celestial objects.
In conclusion, the proposed new definition of planets focuses on the mass of celestial bodies, aiming to provide a more specific and measurable criterion for classification. This proposal could potentially lead to a more precise understanding of what constitutes a planet in our solar system and beyond.
