Astronomy of history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Astronomy of history - Essay Example Consequently, this gave them the capability to compute the surface temperature of about minus-418 degrees Fahrenheit. The findings showed that the icy balls around Pluto that was given the nickname Xema. .Xema was among the largest objects to be discovered orbiting Earth’s sun after the 1846 identification of Neptune. This findings of 2003 UB313, was 1,860 miles, take 250milles added debate on whether this icy ball should be considered a planet. Moreover, the findings discovered were announced on July 2005 illustrated to astronomers that the icy ball was definitely larger that Pluto, since it looked in a surprising manner bright in the sky, although it is nine billion miles from the sun. Apparently, the similarities between Pluto and 2003 UB313, extend beyond size and reflectivity. Similar to Pluto, 2003 UB313 also has a moon and has methane ice on its surface. These findings brought out more debates as planet definition in different context made it a planet. This mission is important, as it helps astronomers to put more thought on what a planet really entails. Consequently, most research in the past have described planet as any object in the solar system large enough that gravity has shaped it into a sphere or anything larger than planet Pluto (heacademy.ac.uk). Generally, this report will help stakeholders in the astronomy and science fields put a clear definition on what a planet should entail. However, the finding of the report will not be of any interest to the general public who are not interested in science. Therefore, the report is only relevant to astronomers. My preconception of the article before reading it was that, a planet like object in the solar system, which is bigger that Pluto can be classified as a planet. However, going through the report changed this preconceptions as it shows how complicated the definition of a planet is. The fact that the definition of planet