General Information
These reports appear in the Friday (before our monthly meeting held on the first Thursday of the month) editions of the 'Clacton Gazzette' and 'Essex Evening Standard' in their 'Neighbourhood News' sections
The Debate - 'This house believes that denying Pluto the status of a Planet was a retrograde step' by David Peck and David Peachey
The association held a debate at the March 5th 2007 meeting. Late last year the Astronomical Union voted to change Pluto's status as a planet to that of a newly defined catagory 'Dwarf Planet'. There was considerable alarm from the astronomical community and general public alike.
The Debate - 'This house believes that denying Pluto the status of a Planet was a retrograde step'
David Peck argued for the motion and David Peachey argued against:
David Peck gave an impassioned plea to keep Pluto’s planetary status from a historic viewpoint. He spoke of the planet’s discovery, the people involved and emphasised the amount of effort that had been spent in establishing this object as a planet.
David Peachey argued his case upon a more scientific basis, highlighting the differences between Pluto and the accepted planets of our solar system. His emphasis was upon how Pluto could be classified. It was clear from a scientific point of view, how the mass, composition and orbital mechanics of this body fell within the accepted definition of a Kyper Belt object and not a planet.
The audience’s discussion and vote showed how equally divided, public opinion was on this matter when there were equal numbers for and against the motion. The stalemate was settled by the Debate Host, Bill Violin casting his vote for the motion.
The Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held as usual at the 'Friends Meeting House' in Granville Road, Clacton on April 5th 2007. There will be a presentation entitled 'Practical Astronomy, Part I' where a number of club members, bringing their own portable telescopes, will discuss practical issues of Astronomy.