Thursday, August 31, 2006

So what happened to truths?

Pluto is no longer a part of the solar system.

I remember primary school science lessons when the solar system was first introduced.
Ms Wong (now Mrs Tan I think...) was telling us about how to remember the planets in sequence quickly.

Much like the colours of the rainbow: Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain or Richard Of York Goes Boating In Venice. Something like that.

So the solar system became: My Very Efficient Mother Just Served Us Nine Potatoes.


Now we can't have Potatoes. Only Nachos.

The winner on Kottke for the Pluto mnemonic device contest was: My! Very educated morons just screwed up numerous planeteriums.

I'm thinking. What will happen to astrology readings? Some time ago, they had to determine how in the world (or heaven) Pluto might influence everybody. Now do astrologers discount the effects of Pluto?

It's not part of the solar system anymore. It's been classified as a "dwarf planet". Like the Gimli of planetary bodies.
Check out Pluto on left. Normal solar-system planetary size.

Check out Pluto on right. Gimli-sized! Dwarf planet.

Same same. But Different!

*bits of trivia: Pluto the dog was named after the planet as they were introduced to the world at large in the same year!

2 comments:

Goat Almighty said...

i've heard about this a few days ago but seriously man, how did they determine pluto was out of the system?

these morons have way too much time.

Tan Kok Seng said...

Looks like Disney's in denial.

From the NY Times:

Sure enough, some people also asked the existential questions that the cosmos typically inspires. Why did this happen? What does it mean? And, of course, how does this affect Mickey Mouse’s dog?

Soon after the announcement from the astronomical union, Disney executives were peppered with questions about whether Pluto’s planetary status would affect Mickey’s sidekick. The answer was no.

“He’s taking the news in stride,” said Lisa Haines, a spokeswoman for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Even at Disney, though, it seemed that people were distancing the cosmic outcast.

“Pluto was not necessarily named after Pluto the planet,” Ms. Haines said. “We’ve got absolutely nothing on record that even draws a connection between the two. And we’re certainly not changing Pluto’s name.”