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Fun fact: The 2006 IAU definition was explicitly scoped in a limited way so that it does not apply to anything beyond the Solar System. Planets outside the So

Fun fact: The 2006 IAU definition was explicitly scoped in a limited way so that it does not apply to anything beyond the Solar System. Planets outside the Solar System are not held to the same level of scrutiny. Over 6000 planets have been discovered outside the solar system, and none of them are required to clear their neighborhoods to be designated as planets. The IAU’s Official Working Definition of an Exoplanet can be read at: https://www.iau.org/CommissionF2/CommissionF2/Documents.aspx https://www.iau.org/CommissionF2/CommissionF2/Documents.aspx So, if someone really thinks we ought to have a universal definition for what a planet is, then they might start by having a word with the IAU.

Timon3 15d ago
Do you have examples where data definitely shows an exoplanet that hasn't cleared the orbit? Since the accurate detection of small non-glowing objects becomes exponentially more difficult as you look further out, that seems like a perfectly reasonable explanation - far more reasonable than the evil cabal of astronomers conspiring to defeat Pluto's defendants with organized harassment campaigns...
- odyssey7 15d ago
  I have not pointed any fingers at the IAU for harassing people. But do be mindful of placing words into the mouths of others.
  - Timon3 15d ago
    > Perhaps the IAU didn’t attempt to exert any influence over the general public and perhaps they have had nothing to do with the legions who have since been irritatingly telling people that their words are scientifically incorrect, as if the IAU is an infallible god of science and that everyone must heed the IAU at all times regardless of whether they are practicing science at the particular moment. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49528442 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49528442 You see where you are calling into question whether the IAU have something to do with the "legions" who you've been in other comments saying are harassing you?
    - odyssey7 15d ago
      To the contrary, I was expressing that the irritators perpetually on standby might have nothing at all to do with the IAU. Are you a member of the IAU? The rest of that post clarifies that this is a problem caused by certain “armchair scientists.” Members of the IAU are in fact actual scientists, not armchair ones.

Timon3 15d ago

Do you have examples where data definitely shows an exoplanet that hasn't cleared the orbit? Since the accurate detection of small non-glowing objects becomes exponentially more difficult as you look further out, that seems like a perfectly reasonable explanation - far more reasonable than the evil cabal of astronomers conspiring to defeat Pluto's defendants with organized harassment campaigns...

odyssey7 15d ago
I have not pointed any fingers at the IAU for harassing people. But do be mindful of placing words into the mouths of others.
- Timon3 15d ago
  > Perhaps the IAU didn’t attempt to exert any influence over the general public and perhaps they have had nothing to do with the legions who have since been irritatingly telling people that their words are scientifically incorrect, as if the IAU is an infallible god of science and that everyone must heed the IAU at all times regardless of whether they are practicing science at the particular moment. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49528442 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49528442 You see where you are calling into question whether the IAU have something to do with the "legions" who you've been in other comments saying are harassing you?
  - odyssey7 15d ago
    To the contrary, I was expressing that the irritators perpetually on standby might have nothing at all to do with the IAU. Are you a member of the IAU? The rest of that post clarifies that this is a problem caused by certain “armchair scientists.” Members of the IAU are in fact actual scientists, not armchair ones.