Plutão, eminência parda que manipula das sombras

No Planetary.org, uma prova de que até os planetas exteriores têm lobbies nas “agências reguladoras” terrestres:

“Meet the Plutoids: IAU Makes Amends for Pluto’s Demotion

It has been nearly two years since the members of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) decided that Pluto, known since its discovery as the “9th planet,” was not a planet at all. Instead this longstanding favorite of children around the world was designated as a founding member of a new class of “dwarf planets.” According to the IAU, the exclusive and now permanently closed club of “true” planets includes only the eight inner planets, from Mercury to Neptune. No new space rocks need apply.

Now, in an apparent effort to assuage angry Pluto supporters, the IAU has decided to honor the former planet with a new distinction: Dwarf planets, at least those residing at the edge of the solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune, will henceforth be known as “plutoids.”“

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E como no caso da captura regulatória em outros campos menos celestes, porteira aberta é um caso sério:

“In addition to Pluto and Eris, several other objects are being considered for the “plutoid” designation. The candidates include giant KBO’s 2005FY9, known informally as “Easterbunny,” and 2003EL61, nicknamed “Santa.” Other large objects, such as Sedna and Quaoar, may qualify as well, but they are too dim for their shape to be determined with confidence. Their induction into the ranks of plutoids will therefore have to wait until better images are available.“

Como se vê, todo o zoológico planetário que circula sobre nossas cabeças agora quer uma lasquinha do privilégio plutônico.  De qualquer maneira, saber que “Santa” é um plutóide é de alguma maneira bastante reconfortante.

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Imaginem só como vai ficar a coisa quando o lobby de Vênus começar a trabalhar…