Pluto The Pup

Frontiers/Controversies in Astrophysics (ASTR 160) Class begins with a review of the first problem set. Newton’s Third Law is applied in explaining how exoplanets are found. An overview of the Solar System is given; each planet is presented individually and its special features are highlighted. Astronomy is discussed as an observational science, and the subject of how to categorize objects in the Solar System is addressed. The Pluto controversy is given special attention and both sides of the argument regarding its status are considered. 00:00 – Chapter 1. Review of the Problem Set 06:22 – Chapter 2. Conservation of Momentum in Exoplanets 14:02 – Chapter 3. Inner and Outer Solar System Objects 29:47 – Chapter 4. Kuiper Belt Objects and Oort Cloud 35:13 – Chapter 5. Classification and Interpretation of Celestial Objects Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu This course was recorded in Spring 2007.

Discovered because of a mistake, Pluto was a planet that turned out not to be a planet at all, thanks to a still-disputed decision made in 2006. Join us for an engrossing tale of the ups and downs of Pluto, its strange appeal, the reasons behind its demotion, and the reasons why it should be set back in the planetary pantheon. Alan Boyle is msnbc.com’s science editor and the creator of Cosmic Log and a Plutophile. Boyle is the recipient of AAAS Science Journalism Award, Science in Society Award and the National Academies Communication Award.

Here is the ride from the tram in the Magic Kingdom parking lot to the Ticket And Transportation Center. I parked in the Pluto lot. My Theme Park blog: themeparktours.blogspot.com Filmed on September 2nd, 2011 9/02/2011 This video features the song “Pale Rider” by Kevin MacLeod (www.incompetech.com). The song is licensed under Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0.