Pluto Needs Rocks
August 27th, 2006 by Kelson. Posted in Humor, Space and tagged for astronomy, Con, Humor, LAConIV, Pluto, Space, WorldconI went to Worldcon 64/L.A.Con IV on Saturday. Mainly I went to a couple of panels, checked out the art show and the dealer’s room, and looked at some exhibits.
Out in the exhibit hall, near the art show, someone had set up this display:
It’s too small to read at this size, so I’ve transcribed it:
Help us save a world!
On August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union declared that a celestial body must meet three criteria to become a planet
- It must orbit the Sun.
- It must be round.
- It must clear its own orbital path of random rocks.
By this criteria, we found that Pluto, long the distant guardian of our solar system, was no longer a planet.
We are resolved to correct this.
We have a plan.
The IAU definition is a good, useful definition for a planet. So we’re not going to challenge the law.
We’re going to fix Pluto, and you can help. Our plan is simple.
- Collect rocks.
- Throw rocks at Pluto, increasing its mass.
- When Pluto gains enough mass, it will clear its orbital path and, by IAU definition, regain the title of planet.
We need your help.
Help us save a world.
Pluto needs rocks!
Please, think of the planets. Together, we can make a difference.
Brought to you by GT. Rebuilding worlds, one rock at a time.
Below the display was a cardboard box:
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That’s fantastic. I know thousands of third-graders will be pleased there is an effort to save Pluto’s status.
That is unbelieveably awesome. I want to meet the person who did this.
As Forrest Gump once said, “Sometimes, I guess there just aren’t enough rocks.”
I am working with the top scientists who want to meet in 2007 to reverse the new definition that was put in place by a small number of the space org that names planets etc.
Please go to http://www.savepluto.com and support them with your vote.
This is for real.