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Science

Angleae

(4,481 posts)

12. Except it hasn't cleared its orbit.

Reply to leveymg (Reply #7)

Fri May 31, 2013, 12:21 AM

May 2013

There's this little body of rock called Earth nearby. It needs to clear the complete solar orbit to meet the specifications, not just the immediate area.

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Highlight:

Surprise, Asteroid 1998 QE2 has a moon! [View all] DreamGypsy May 2013 OP

Who knew something that small could have a moon! CaliforniaPeggy May 2013 #1

Gee, I'm a lot less than 1.7 miles in diameter ... DreamGypsy May 2013 #3

Thank you for looking that up. It's fascinating! CaliforniaPeggy May 2013 #4

Surprise, 1998 QE2 is a "planet" according to the In't Astrological Union (IAU) definition. leveymg May 2013 #2

When did the IAU declare 1998 QE to be a dwarf planet? DreamGypsy May 2013 #6

It seems to meet both definitions: 1) round(ish), 2) cleared its orbit. As for 3) if it hasn't leveymg May 2013 #7

Argue as you will ... DreamGypsy May 2013 #9

Except it hasn't cleared its orbit. Angleae May 2013 #12

There's only one ("trojan") asteroid we know is in earth orbit, and this isn't it. leveymg May 2013 #14

It has to clear it's own orbit of all bodies that would have a significant gravitaional effect on it Angleae May 2013 #15

Pluto has moons; it has not cleared its orbit, and is not an IAU planet muriel_volestrangler May 2013 #13

Time for a (Jonathan) Swiftie… Jackpine Radical May 2013 #5

Ah, Swiftie's, I know your Jonathan, but the ones I favor are Tom ... DreamGypsy May 2013 #8

+1000 DeSwiss May 2013 #10

Maybe that isn't a moon. Unknown Beatle May 2013 #11