:Shennanigans:

Hey, Rob: Little boy, you mumble. : P

Holy crap! It is almost here! So much to do, so little time.

Sometimes there is more waiting at work, than work itself. *grumbles*

The Science Channel recently did a contest for people to come up with a new mnemonic for the planetary line-up, as Pluto has been demoted. The former mnemonic used most commonly was "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas (or Pies)". The word "nine" was important as it was the reminder that there were, in fact, nine planets. Thus, I figured the word "Eight" should exist in the new mnemonic. Yes, I submitted the mnemonic to NASA vis a vis The Science Channel contest, but I figured, even if I do not win, I am going to begin using my very own, rather than someone else's; at least until someone in a VERY high place of power tells me not to...

Mom Viewed Eight Manned Jets Speed Up Nearby

OR, for those of us stuck with the former, and do not care about the word "Eight" being in the mnemonic (I did not submit this one), there is always...

My Very Educated Mom Just Served Us Nachos.

Either way, I declare, in my world, that Pluto continues to exist as a planet; da** all the others! Alas, I will stick to my good friend, the former mnemonic.

I am curious to see what comes out as the next "official" NASA mnemonic, however...

In the meantime, here is the *official* commentary, courtesy of NASA

PLUTO

Once known as the smallest, coldest, and most distant planet from the Sun, Pluto has a dual identity, not to mention being enshrouded in controversy since its discovery in 1930. On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) formally downgraded Pluto from an official planet to a dwarf planet. According to the new rules a planet meets three criteria: it must orbit the Sun, it must be big enough for gravity to squash it into a round ball, and it must have cleared other things out of the way in its orbital neighborhood. The latter measure knocks out Pluto and 2003UB313 (Eris), which orbit among the icy wrecks of the Kuiper Belt, and Ceres, which is in the asteroid belt.

(1) A "planet" is 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 neighborhood around its orbit.

(2) A "dwarf planet" is 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, (c) has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

(3) All other objects except satellites orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar-System Bodies".

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2007-05-21 10:07 AM planetary mnemonic Previous Entry :: Next Entry Mood: bored Read/Post Comments (8)	Hey, Rob: Little boy, you mumble. : P Holy crap! It is almost here! So much to do, so little time. Sometimes there is more waiting at work, than work itself. grumbles The Science Channel recently did a contest for people to come up with a new mnemonic for the planetary line-up, as Pluto has been demoted. The former mnemonic used most commonly was "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas (or Pies)". The word "nine" was important as it was the reminder that there were, in fact, nine planets. Thus, I figured the word "Eight" should exist in the new mnemonic. Yes, I submitted the mnemonic to NASA vis a vis The Science Channel contest, but I figured, even if I do not win, I am going to begin using my very own, rather than someone else's; at least until someone in a VERY high place of power tells me not to... Mom Viewed Eight Manned Jets Speed Up Nearby OR, for those of us stuck with the former, and do not care about the word "Eight" being in the mnemonic (I did not submit this one), there is always... My Very Educated Mom Just Served Us Nachos. Either way, I declare, in my world, that Pluto continues to exist as a planet; da** all the others! Alas, I will stick to my good friend, the former mnemonic. I am curious to see what comes out as the next "official" NASA mnemonic, however... In the meantime, here is the official commentary, courtesy of NASA PLUTO Once known as the smallest, coldest, and most distant planet from the Sun, Pluto has a dual identity, not to mention being enshrouded in controversy since its discovery in 1930. On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) formally downgraded Pluto from an official planet to a dwarf planet. According to the new rules a planet meets three criteria: it must orbit the Sun, it must be big enough for gravity to squash it into a round ball, and it must have cleared other things out of the way in its orbital neighborhood. The latter measure knocks out Pluto and 2003UB313 (Eris), which orbit among the icy wrecks of the Kuiper Belt, and Ceres, which is in the asteroid belt. (1) A "planet" is 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 neighborhood around its orbit. (2) A "dwarf planet" is 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, (c) has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite. (3) All other objects except satellites orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar-System Bodies". Read/Post Comments (8) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top
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