Bye bye planet Pluto

So, from now on, we have only 8 planets in our solarsystem.

The IAU members gathered at the 2006 General Assembly agreed that a "planet" is defined as a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

This means that the Solar System consists of eight "planets" Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. A new distinct class of objects called "dwarf planets" was also decided. It was agreed that "planets" and "dwarf planets" are two distinct classes of objects. The first members of the "dwarf planet" category are Ceres, Pluto and 2003 UB313 (temporary name). More "dwarf planets" are expected to be announced by the IAU in the coming months and years. Currently a dozen candidate "dwarf planets" are listed on IAU's "dwarf planet" watchlist, which keeps changing as new objects are found and the physics of the existing candidates becomes better known.

The "dwarf planet" Pluto is recognised as an important proto-type of a new class of trans-Neptunian objects. The IAU will set up a process to name these objects.

More, please take alook at IAU 2006 General Assembly: Result of the IAU Resolution votes



Credits to The International Astronomical Union/Martin Kornmesser

Big influx of Hummingbird Hawk-moths in Finland

Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum is a beautiful and fascinating moth. I've never seen it before or at least I can't say that I have ever identified it before untill today, when I saw one individual in Hatanpää Arboretum in Tampere. It really reminded me on those Hummingbirds that I saw a year ago in Las Vegas.
If you have not seen this moth yet, you have now a very good opportunity, as Hummingbird Hawk-moths have a biggest influx since 1995 here in Finland. Just go somewhere where's flowers, especially Fall Phlox's (Phlox paniculata), also known as Perennial Phlox and Garden Phlox, or syysleimu in Finnish. These moths seem to love these flowers.

Photo copyright Jorma Tenovuo. Please take a look at other great photos of Jorma at www.jtenovuo.com

Good news for Pluto

What is a planet? For years, astronomers have been debating that question, with the status of tiny Pluto hanging in the balance. Finally, an answer is in the offing. Today, the International Astronomical Union's Planet Definition Committee announced their proposal for a new, official definition of "planet." If the proposal is approved by a vote of IAU astronomers on 24th of August, the number of planets in our Solar System would swell from nine to twelve. And, yes, Pluto would be among them.

On August 24th, astronomers gathered at the IAU General Assembly in Prague will vote on the proposal. If it passes, the Solar System will have twelve planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Charon (a double planet) and 2003 UB313.

In addition to those, we may have still more planets in future. They are called 2003 ELG1, 2005 FY9, Sedna, Orcus, Quaoar, 2002 TX300, 2002 AW197, Varuna, Ixion, Vesta, Pallas and Hygiea. Those few that have still only catalogue names (like 2003 ELG1), will be named later.

Credits to The International Astronomical Union/Martin Kornmesser

Bubbling tree a fountain of mystery

Is it an artesian spring, a broken water pipe or an abandoned well?

Lucille Pope's red oak tree in San Antonio, Texas, USA, has gurgled water for about three months, and experts can't seem to get to the root of the problem. Pope, 65, has sought answers from the Texas Forest Service, the Edwards Aquifer Authority and nurseries. They have taken pictures and conducted studies, but none have arrived at a firm answer.

Her son, Lloyd, 47, discovered water leaking from the tree in April. He said it was cool, like it came from the tap. The only damp spot around the tree trunk is where the water lands.

George Rice, a hydrologist on the board of the authority, and Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, are among those who looked at the tree for answers.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Rice said. "If you wanted to dream something up I'd say that somehow water pressure underneath is forced through some kind of channel in the tree. But that's still very unlikely."

After a sip of water from the tree, Rice said it tasted like it could have had a trace of saline, almost like something that could have gone through natural dissolving salts.

Mark Peterson, a regional community forester from the Texas Forest Service, paid a visit several weeks ago. He hasn't done any extensive research but still is trying to figure out what is happening.

Peterson said he believes it could be a spring, but pointed out that would be rare with the drought conditions this summer.

"If it is a burst pipe their monthly bill would be enormous," Peterson said. "It would definitely be reflected in their bill."

Lucille Pope said her water bill is normal and hasn't fluctuated from the monthly average.

If you want to know more about this, google lucille pope texas

Halo reports

If you're interested in halos, those atmospheric phenomenon similar to a rainbow but caused by the refraction of light by ice crystals, then take a look at Halo reports. The latest report is about " Subhorizon diffuse arcs with Liljequist subparhelia" - a very rare halos that Francesco De Comité saw and took great photos from an airplane. At the same, it's historical photo, because nowadays it's forbidden to take camera in airplane - thanks to Al Qaida and other terrorists.

Russia stinks - literally

I've been way too busy last four months but from now on I'll try to add new postings at least once a week. So here we go: Russia stinks - literally!

Yes, literally. This morning, when I went out, I smelled the smoke. It was clearly the smell of forest fire. The sky wasn't clear blue anymore, it was more like greyish blue and wind was from east, right from Russia... The border is about 250 kilometers away from here, but still the smoke smells. In fact, according the news the smoke was smelled much further west today, at least over 400 kilometers away from the east border.

Russians are bad firefighters. Over 22 million hectares of forests have already burned during this summer... Here in Finland we have had also a lot of forest fires during this summer, but our fire brigades have managed to extinguish all of them very quickly.



14th of August was the worst so far, the smoke was clearly visible everywhere.