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Originally Posted by Saluki
Russ: The Dictionary is certainly source to consider, when determining how a word is used in common parlance. However, as anyone with any science or technical background can verify, it is not an authoritative source for professional jargon.
So, if we are applying the common man's definitions, you are quite correct. However, since this is an Astronomy forum, I assumed we were talking in terms of the jargon of Astronomers. Astronomers have no formal definition of planet. It is a topic that is actually in hot debate in recent years with the discoveries on Titan and extra-solar planets, particularly the planets that roam free from any star.
I am not sure if there is a formal definition of "Moon", but my suspicion is that it is as nebulous as "planet". I will have to look it up.
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Saluki: I ask a favor of you.
If you wish to address russ_watters by an abreviated name please call him russ_w or rw or something other than Russ as some may think you are addressing me rather than him. I'll admit that, when I came across the above posting, there were a few seconds when I thought you were addressing me.
I am Russ, only Russ and nothing but Russ!
Now, Back on topic: I have an arbitrary classification system:
1) If it is spherical, is greater than 1000 miles in diameter, not self luminous and its' primary orbital component is a star, it is a planet.
2) If it is smaller than #1 but larger than 10 miles in average diameter and its' primary orbital component is a star it is a planetesimal.
3) If it is smaller than #2 it's debris no matter what it orbits.
4) If it is larger than 10 miles in average diameter and its' primary orbital component is a planet or planetesimal, it's a moon.
An example: Dactyl is debris orbiting Ida, a planetesimal.
This is strictly my system and is not based on any scientifics and is not sanctioned by any official astronomical association. The way I figure it; ya gotta draw the line somewhere.
02-February-2005, 12:49 AM
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