Okay, enough.
I admit I was a bit curious as to why Cal Tech's Michael Brown could be so blasé about being scooped on the announcement of 2003 EL61. After all, planet-type bodies aren't found every day... or maybe they are.
This afternoon, Dr. Brown announced that his team, too, had found something new -- and what they found is pretty special. 2003 UB313 -- its real name is still pending approval by the International Astronomical Union -- is now being called the "tenth planet" by NASA. It's no wonder; 2003 UB313 is bigger than Pluto, closer in size to the Earth's moon (which is actually one of the biggest moons in the solar system, and at 2,100 miles in diameter, half again the size of Pluto). It's also at something of an odd angle, about 44 degrees off the ecliptic (the plane at which most planets orbit). It's currently at close to its peak distance from the Sun, 97 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun (a distance known as an AU); when it swings in close -- in another 500 years or so -- it will be only around 38 AUs away, not much further than Pluto.
Here's what the NY Times has to say; here's the BBC; here's Sky & Telescope (including an illustration of comparative sizes); here's NASA's orbit simulator. Dr. Brown's web page doesn't have much aside from the photos, but is probably the page to bookmark for updates.
According to the Times, Brown was holding off announcing 2003 UB313 until more data came in, but two things prompted this afternoon's release: the flurry of activity from the 2003 EL61 find (with the promise of more planet hunters starting to look in odd locations around the solar system); and evidence that the server logs for the telescope Brown used had been examined by other astronomers, potentially revealing where the telescope had been pointing.
Comments (15)
Isn't it always the way. You wait hundreds of years for a new planet, and then two come along at once.
Posted by Adam Burke | July 31, 2005 12:48 AM
Posted on July 31, 2005 00:48
hi there,
I was watching K-PAX (2001 movie) for the fourth time and there is a dialogue between Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridge where K.S. says that there are 10 planets at your solar system but you just haven't discovered the tenth yet.
interesting!
Posted by constantine | August 1, 2005 8:14 PM
Posted on August 1, 2005 20:14
Yes I also find that interesting and I love that movie but I beleive that I believe that society has the belief that we have discovered everything and that also the nine planets of the solar system has become a fact just because the world believed it but the same thing happened before copernicus discovered the earth was round.
Posted by Danny | August 2, 2005 7:46 PM
Posted on August 2, 2005 19:46
Over 500 years ago we believed that the Earth was flat. Over 100 years ago we believed that the Atom was the smallest particle known to man (as at that time it was). Now scientist are telling us that a potential new planet has been discovered and that the conventional solar systems that we as a society believed included only nine planets are now having to question how much we actually do know about the content of our solar system in regards to planets and even of how we can categorically define a planet. I believe that as a civilization of intellectually gifted beings, humans are going to continually discover new information and adopt new theories that will make us all question what we already assume we know as 'The Truth'. To think any other way would be just considered as naive.
Posted by Daniel | August 3, 2005 2:35 AM
Posted on August 3, 2005 02:35
I would like to knowing more information about the 10th planet 2003-UB313 . May I have mor information or any link address about this planet . Thanks .
Posted by Jimmy | August 3, 2005 12:12 PM
Posted on August 3, 2005 12:12
I would like to knowing more information about the 10th planet 2003-UB313 . May I have mor information or any link address about this planet . Thanks .
Posted by Jimmy | August 3, 2005 12:13 PM
Posted on August 3, 2005 12:13
I would like to knowing more information about the 10th planet 2003-UB313 . May I have mor information or any link address about this planet . Thanks .
Posted by Jimmy | August 3, 2005 12:13 PM
Posted on August 3, 2005 12:13
Congrats to all from the Grand Potentate of the Universe, on another planet discovered. I recommend the name "Rupert". The Emperor of Sedna concurs.
Posted by Hib | August 3, 2005 4:56 PM
Posted on August 3, 2005 16:56
How about the ancient name Nibiru?
Posted by Benny | August 6, 2005 5:12 AM
Posted on August 6, 2005 05:12
Its too small to be nibiru
Posted by Fabio | August 7, 2005 7:12 PM
Posted on August 7, 2005 19:12
I like this web site.
It gave me what I needed!
Josh
Posted by Joshua | August 9, 2005 1:33 AM
Posted on August 9, 2005 01:33
I like this web site.
It gave me what I needed!
Josh
Posted by Joshua | August 9, 2005 1:33 AM
Posted on August 9, 2005 01:33
I'm an astro-lover and love space and I'm very happy with the discovery of the new planet!!!!!!!
Posted by shraddha | August 9, 2005 8:05 AM
Posted on August 9, 2005 08:05
what do these remarks about false history have to do with anything? it is well documented that in the time of colon (sometimes called columbus) he and everyone else knew the earth was spherical. likewise in copernicus's day. it was old news 1800 years ago. the current banter about 313's status is very similar. the dominant scientific thinking is that there are 8 planets, and that pluto's nature was not well understood in 1930.
if pluto and 313 are planets, then sedna, quaoar, and many other KBO's are , too. this is just plain silly. nobody on this forum seems interested in the physical nature of the solar system, or in the "many, many" similar bodies 313's lead discoverer has predicted, just banter about incorrect history of science, like that garbage about the "flat earth" which was NEVER believed in mideaval or rennessaince history. i think i'll go tho the JPL website, this page has no science to read. yawn.
Posted by paco | August 11, 2005 11:18 AM
Posted on August 11, 2005 11:18
Paco, going to the JPL website is a good idea -- and I strongly recommend the website of Dr. Michael Brown, discoverer of UB313. His site is linked in the post above.
I'm sorry that the casual banter in the comments has distracted you from the science in the body of the post. You'll note that the only reference to UB313 being a planet is a link to a NASA page referring to it in that way; if you have a disagreement with this characterization -- and many folks do -- you'll have to take it up with them.
And, fair warning: since NASA helps to run JPL, you might be disappointed by how JPL refers to 313, too.
Posted by Jamais Cascio | August 11, 2005 11:27 AM
Posted on August 11, 2005 11:27