As you know, the International Astronomicial Union (IAU) has made a total mess of planet definitions, upsetting many lay people, scientists, and school children. Amazingly, the IAU's president, Catherine Cesarsky, recently stated, "I don't think there will be a big [reaction]". She also says, "A few people make a lot of noise."
Recently, referring to the action of the IAU now calling Pluto a "plutoid", Cesarsky claims that the action "makes Pluto more important". "Instead of being a "puny" outer planet, Pluto is now a "prototype of a new type of fascinating object."
WHAT??? Is she kidding? First the IAU limits the planets to 8, so the school children won't have to remember too many planets. Then Pluto and the like are "dwarf" planets. Now, dwarf planets are declassified to "plutoids".
GET INVOLVED and let Catherine Cesarsky know exactly how you feel. Send her an email. (I've supplied a link for you on the right.) It can be as simple as putting "Dwarf Planets Are Planets Too" in the subject line, with your name, city and country in the body of the email (OR you can add a few colorful comments of your own) and send it off.
NEXT, SEND THIS LINK TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND HAVE THEM EMAIL TOO, AND THEN SEND IT ON TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
I can't do this alone, but together we can create an avalanche of emails to Cesarksy and show her how many people recognize the ongoing blunders of the IAU.
Don't miss out! AND if you act now, NO- you won't get any free gifts, but you will be involved in an ongoing world-wide protest.
-Siobhan
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