IAU Set to Vote on Reopening Saturn's Rings
Reports indicate the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will vote in favor of reopening Saturn's rings at its XXVII General Assembly in early August.
Comments:
This is a much better plan than the one 7 years ago to eradicate the unsightly ring with "scrubbing bubbles". Mr. O'Neil at that time decried the lack of suitable delivery vehicle and voted to table the issue.
I support this move by the IAU, as long as it is financed by private donations and not more taxpayer dollars!
I really have to wonder what the real motivation of the IAU is. In old astronomy books of the 19th century, they believed that Neptune was larger than Uranus. Now, they claim that anything that far out CAN'T be bigger than Uranus! Then the IAU tries to demoter Pluto from the status of planet claiming it's "too small." Is the IAU supressing evidence that Pluto is bigger, MUCH bigger than it really is, because some members are embarrased with the planet's name??? Is Pluto actually bigger than Uranus???<br><br>David E
Is the IAU really mad, how can you presume to even think "they" can do anything to reopen Saturn's rings? They most defiantly have the hand of God on their side. While they are at it could the members of the IAU bring Saturn a few million miles closer to the Earth so we can get a better view when our orbits diverge and the rings are full open again.<br>Think of this (the rings edge flat on) as a once or twice in a life time chance to see the transit of Titan and some of the other moons.<br>dc
Actually, I would vote for having them moved out of the way for a little while. I mean, let's face it, the rings are, well just ringy. Seen 'em once you've seen 'em all. Imagine, seeing the cloud bands of Saturn with as much detail as Jupiter's bands from your own backyard! <img class='' src='http://new.astromart.com/astromart/javascripts/sceditor/emoticons/grin.png' alt='grin' title='grin'/> <br><br>David E
Alan,<br><br>Now you should spread the rumor that the tilting of Saturns Rings are the cause of global warming and our economic crisis. Funny stuff<br><br>Mike Klosterman<br>fellow WSP attendee<br>Yorktown, VA
Daley has a cousin who put in a bid, to be paid for with a tax on entering any building with revolving doors.
<blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="italic"><i>Sean Cunneen said:</i><br><br>Daley has a cousin who put in a bid, to be paid for with a tax on entering any building with revolving doors.</div></blockquote><br>But it is contingent on the 2016 Olympics coming to Chicago - at least that is what I heard.<br><br>Timm
I don't know what those Canadians are grousing about. At least they have national healthcare. Besides, it isn't that those mounts made in Southern California (now Mexico) need degreasing - they just naturally freeze up in the great white north.<br><br>BTW, is it true that the IAU is now considering naming the International Space Station a moon? It meets all the criteria. It is captured in a planetary orbit and 65% of it was manufactured in the U.S.A. (and let's face it, there aren't too many things that are still made in the U.S.A.).
I think that the IAU ought to demote Saturn from the list of planets because, as anyone with even a modest telescope can see, planets don't have rings. They can't call it a minor planet because of its size. I propose a new category -- a Large Thingie with Rings. And then there were seven.
Jokes are juvies.
Thanks for the nice comments. I enjoyed writing it and appreciate hearing that folks liked the article.<br><br>Also thanks to Joseph O'Neil and his daughter Siobhan for agreeing to be part of the story, and to Joe for providing details about the conspiracy against Canadian amateurs.<br><br>Finally, thanks to Paul Walsh for his help and to Astromart for providing a nice venue.<br><br>There are many other odd and intresting stories in the world of astronomy.... 8)<br><br>Clear skies, and open rings, Alan<br>Chair, Campaign to Reopen Saturn's Rings
I saw them last night. Open, just a bit.
<blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="italic"><i>Scott Salsi said:</i><br><br>I saw them last night. Open, just a bit.</div></blockquote><br>There going to be slowly tipping due the changing perspective from here (to just over -4 degrees) until mid-May, then they'll be closing again.<br><br>Clear skies, Alan
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