Dwarf Planet Names: Eris and Dysnomia!

Thursday, September 14th, 2006 at 11:38 AM by Dave

With all the hub-bub with Pluto’s demotion from a planet to a dwarf planet, it is interesting to note that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named the object that is slightly larger than Pluto. The dwarf planet’s name is Eris and its satellite is Dysnomia. It’s former designation was 2003 UB 313. The discoverers of Eris wanted the name of Xena. However, the IAU has naming rights to all solar system objects.

The discovery of Eris 3 years ago raised the question of a definition of a planet. Many astronomers have puzzled over the definition for years. Only after the discovery of an object larger than Pluto that the question came to the forefront of debate. The IAU recently gave precise definitions for a planet and dwarf planets (please see previous posts).

Eris’ orbit is highly incliined to the planets by 44 degrees. This does not fit the Solar Hypothesis Theory which states that planets would form along a plane (the traditional 8 planets do lie along this plane), which astronmers call the ecliptic. All objects beyond Neptune are called Trans Neptunian Objects (TNO).

I am sure that as time goes by that people will forget the furor of Pluto’s demotion. However, I have students in my class that are mad that Pluto is not a planet anymore. I am sure that Pluto doesn’t care that it was demoted. And neither do I.

Posted in Astronomy News

One Response to “Dwarf Planet Names: Eris and Dysnomia!”

1. A Ler…-- Rastos de Luz wrote on 09/15/06 at 3:54 am :

   [...] “Xena renamed to Eris“. Ainda a nova designação para este asteróide, no Universe Today. Também sobre este assunto, “On the naming of Eris and such“, no Bad Astronomy, “Eris and Dysnomia“, que refere também a nova denominação da lua de Eris, no Astronomy Blog, “Dwarf Planet Names: Eris and Dysnomia” no SCSU Astronomy [...]

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