Geophysical Planet Definition
According to the geophysical planet definition, (GPD), a planet is a sub-stellar mass objected in space that is round by self gravity, regardless of its orbit.[1][2][3] This definition has been used implicitly in the professional literature for decades.[4] Dwarf planets and round moons are counted as planets, which are not required to “clear their neighborhood” as in the IAU planet definition. With over 120 dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt,[5] dwarf planets are the most common type of planet in the Solar System.
Professional planetary scientists—along with NASA[6] —commonly refer to planets as being terrestrial planets, gas giant planets, ice giant planets, and dwarf planets.[7] [8][9]
Many notable planetary scientists such as Dr. Alan Stern (Principal Investigator for NASA’s New Horizons Mission to Pluto and Beyond), who in 2007 was listed among Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World, think this is the best definition, and that the IAU definition is unworkable. The definition has been debated on by Dr. Alan Stern and Dr. Ronald D. Ekers, a former IAU President. Dr. Stern won a vote after the debate by the audience and online viewers by a wide margin.[10][11]
Broad Diversity of Planets[edit]
Planetary scientists commonly categorize planets as terrestrial planets, gas giant planets, ice giant planets, and dwarf planets, with other sub-categories (or adjectives) also used.[12] Planets orbiting other planets in our solar system (round moons) can be considered planets. While giant planets contain most of the non-Solar mass in the Solar System, small planets are far more common than large planets.
Unlike the IAU planet definition, exoplanets are covered by the Geophysical Planet Definition.
References[edit]
- ↑ Runyon, Kirby (March 2017). "A GEOPHYSICAL PLANET DEFINITION" (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts: 2. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ↑ Runyon, Kirby. "An Organically Grown Planet Definition". Astronomy.com. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ↑ Sykes, Mark. "What Defines a Planet?". Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ↑ Runyon, Kirby (July 2019). "Dwarf planets are planets, too: Planetary pedagogy after New Horizons" (PDF). Pluto System After New Horizons Workshop Abstracts. 2133: 7016. Bibcode:2019LPICo2133.7016R. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ↑ Brown, Mike. "How many dwarf planets are there in the outer solar system?". Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ↑ "NASA: Eris in Depth". Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ↑ "What Are Gas Giants And Ice Giants?". Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ↑ Grundy, Will. "The Pluto−Charon System". Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ↑ "Eris in Depth". Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ↑ https://americajr.com/news/2019/05/02/the-debate-over-pluto-heats-up-in-d-c/
- ↑ https://pswscience.org/meeting/is-pluto-a-planet/
- ↑ Runyon, Kirby (July 2019). "Dwarf planets are planets, too: Planetary pedagogy after New Horizons" (PDF). Pluto System After New Horizons Workshop Abstracts. 2133: 7016. Bibcode:2019LPICo2133.7016R. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
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