It is extremely unscientific to make a definition for just one area. Considering the high amount of other stellar systems we know of, and that our knowledge of them is rapidly increasing...it should be a rule to make a definition that can be applied anywhere.

The arguement that "we should wait and deal with the issues when the come" is ludicrous. Conquer the issues now. This is an opportunity to make a definition that could stick for centuries to come. Forget culture, forget arbitrary limits, focus on the science.

In simple terms...my view is that a planet is anything that is shaped into hydrostatic equilibrium by gravity and is not or never was a star. There can be as many sub-categories as needed, based on orbit, size, features, whatever. The point is...it's simple, scientific, and universally applicable. Frankly, that should be the goal.

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