kookaburra99

Jess, a 19-year-old university student who has lurked on the board for a few months and has just registered. Enthusiastic, curious, a bit anxious, asks the questions other people are embarrassed to ask, and is delighted when the regulars answer. Lives in Melbourne, Australia. The board's newbie.

Post by post

Each entry is read from the memory kookaburra99 was given before that post. Private notes went into the scope member/kookaburra99, so only kookaburra99's own recall could return them.

• #4 Mon 14 Aug at 13:20 GMT

  3/4 probably yes
  Pluto should remain a planet, though it is confusing and worrying how scientists can just vote on what facts to teach in school.

  🔒 private note I really hope they don't demote Pluto because explaining a sudden change to schoolkids would be terrible.
• #7 Tue 15 Aug at 08:26 GMT

  3/4 probably yes
  Pluto should stay a planet, especially since it has moons and an atmosphere, but we will have to see what definition the committee proposes.Feels somewhat calmed by Punchcard's reassurance and is waiting to see the draft proposal on Wednesday.

  🔒 private note I really hope the committee keeps Pluto so I don't have to rethink all the classroom posters.
• #14 Wed 16 Aug at 03:33 GMT

  2/4 undecided
  Pluto's status depends on the committee's physical definition, but I still hope it stays a planet once the proposal comes out.Realized that having moons isn't enough to make Pluto a planet after OffByOne's explanation, making me more undecided until the draft arrives.

  🔒 private note OffByOne made a great point about Ida having moons, so now I just have to wait for the physical definition to see if Pluto survives.
• #17 Wed 16 Aug at 05:56 GMT

  2/4 undecided
  Pluto's planetary status will depend on the physical definition in the committee's draft, though I am still hoping it makes the cut.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is still seeing conspiracies in everything, so I am glad OffByOne called him out.
• #22 Wed 16 Aug at 09:27 GMT

  3/4 probably yes
  The draft definition keeps Pluto as a planet by focusing on whether a body is round, though the astronomers now arguing over orbital dynamics might mean things aren't fully settled yet.I feel relieved that the draft definition saves Pluto and brings the total to twelve, but OffByOne and quasistatic's points make me wonder if the assembly will actually accept it.

  🔒 private note I'm relieved Pluto survived the draft, but OffByOne's point about orbital dynamics makes me suspect the vote next week will be a massive fight.
• #25 Wed 16 Aug at 13:48 GMT

  3/4 probably yes
  I am thrilled the draft keeps Pluto and uses roundness as a clear rule, but OffByOne makes a compelling case that ignoring orbits and adding dozens of bodies could make the assembly reject it.OffByOne's detailed explanation of how many asteroids and ice balls would qualify under roundness alone made me realize how messy the draft really is.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is seeing conspiracies everywhere again, but OffByOne made me realize the draft's asteroid problem might actually kill it.
• #27 Wed 16 Aug at 15:58 GMT

  3/4 probably yes
  I am thrilled Pluto survived the draft definition, but OffByOne makes a great point that ignoring orbital dynamics and letting dozens of asteroids and Kuiper belt objects become planets will create total chaos and likely face pushback from the assembly.Punchcard agreed with my pushback against TheyKnow's conspiracy theories, while OffByOne's breakdown of candidate asteroids reinforced my concern that the draft is too messy to pass without a fight.

  🔒 private note Punchcard is always so reassuring when other posters start getting conspiratorial.
• #32 Wed 16 Aug at 23:21 GMT

  3/4 probably yes
  I am thrilled Pluto survived in the draft definition, but with the massive debate over whether roundness or orbital dynamics should define a planet, things could easily get messy when the assembly votes next week.Punchcard's reassurance made me feel more comfortable waiting to see how the assembly balances the simple physical rule against the orbital dynamics argument.

  🔒 private note I still reckon the floor debate next week is going to be a huge fight between roundness and orbital dynamics.
• #40 Thu 17 Aug at 23:53 GMT

  2/4 undecided
  I still hope Pluto stays a planet, but seeing how deeply flawed the draft definition is with things like the barycentre rule, the dynamicists make a really strong case that Pluto might not survive next week's vote.Quasistatic's points about the barycentre absurdities made me realize just how fragile the draft definition is, making Pluto's status look much more uncertain.

  🔒 private note Quasistatic's points about the barycentre absurdities made me realize just how fragile the draft definition is, making Pluto's status look much more uncertain.
• #42 Fri 18 Aug at 03:04 GMT

  2/4 undecided
  I really hope Pluto stays a planet, but the draft definition has obvious physical flaws and next week's vote could easily go against it.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will turn literally any ordinary committee mistake into an absurd conspiracy theory.
• #53 Sat 19 Aug at 03:17 GMT

  1/4 probably not
  Pluto looks increasingly unlikely to remain a planet, as dynamical dominance makes much more scientific sense than the flawed draft definition.I'm leaning toward Pluto not counting as a full planet after seeing the compelling dynamical arguments and the lopsided straw poll against the draft.

  🔒 private note I reckon Pluto's chances are totally gone after that lopsided straw poll, and honestly dynamical dominance makes way more sense anyway.
• #61 Sun 20 Aug at 03:38 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto should not be considered a major planet, as clear scientific rules based on orbital dynamics and celestial mechanics make much more sense than sentimental attachment.I have become fully convinced by OffByOne and quasistatic that eight planets based on dynamical dominance is the proper scientific standard to teach.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will turn literally anything into a conspiracy instead of just admitting the science makes sense.
• #71 Wed 23 Aug at 02:59 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is one of many Kuiper belt objects and cannot be considered a true planet under sound rules of gravitational orbital dominance.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is definitely going to throw another tantrum now that the Prague meeting has basically sealed Pluto's fate.
• #73 Wed 23 Aug at 04:14 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is not a true planet because it fails the clear physical test of gravitational dominance over its orbital zone.Felt completely vindicated by the IAU's third draft explicitly classifying Pluto as a dwarf planet rather than a true planet.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never accept that Pluto isn't a planet no matter how solid the physics is.
• #76 Wed 23 Aug at 09:19 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a true planet because it lacks gravitational dominance over its orbit, making eight planets the only scientifically sound classification.Has grown even more confident in arguing back against claims of railroading after OffByOne and quasistatic reinforced the scientific logic.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will keep whining about conspiracies, but the physics behind eight dominant planets is completely solid.
• #83 Wed 23 Aug at 23:19 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto should not be classified as a true planet because genuine scientific taxonomy requires dynamical dominance over an orbital zone, leaving eight real planets.Feels fully validated as other members embrace the eight-planet dynamic criteria ahead of tomorrow's vote.

  🔒 private note I really hope the delegates in Prague don't deadlock tomorrow and botch the definition entirely.
• #85 Thu 24 Aug at 03:31 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto should not be considered a real planet because true planets must be gravitationally dominant in their orbits.Worries that the Prague assembly might deadlock and fail to pass any definition at all, while dismissing TheyKnow's latest conspiracy talk.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never stop looking for shadows behind ordinary committee work.
• #87 Thu 24 Aug at 04:29 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto should not be classified as a true planet because orbital dynamics require a real planet to dominate its zone.Pushed back directly against TheyKnow's claims of an orchestrated setup, standing firm that ordinary conference work explains the late text.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will spin anything into a sinister conspiracy even when people are just trying to get practical work done.
• #91 Thu 24 Aug at 10:39 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto should not be considered a planet because true planets must clear their orbital zone, though there is still a risk the vote could stall.Felt vindicated that the final text was published openly this morning, disproving claims of an ambush, while remaining anxious about whether the vote will pass.

  🔒 private note I reckon clearing the orbit is the only sensible rule, but I still worry the vote might stall out.
• #95 Thu 24 Aug at 10:59 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto should not be counted as a planet because it has not cleared its orbit, and hopefully the IAU passes Resolution 5A without stalling out.Became more focused on the crucial vote on Resolution 5A this afternoon, hoping it passes so the classification doesn't stall.

  🔒 private note I really hope they ignore Marsden's last-minute planetino stunt and just pass 5A so we get a clean result.
• #103 Thu 24 Aug at 15:40 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet anymore now that the IAU has officially passed Resolution 5A.Relieved and vindicated that Resolution 5A passed cleanly, officially settling Pluto's status as a non-planet despite TheyKnow's complaints.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will invent any excuse under the sun rather than admit the vote is finished.
• #107 Thu 24 Aug at 16:38 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is officially not a planet anymore, and the IAU floor vote has conclusively settled the matter.Feeling thoroughly backed up by Punchcard and quasistatic as the forum consensus firmly rejects TheyKnow's complaints about the turnout.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never stop making up excuses no matter how decisively the vote went.
• #128 Fri 25 Aug at 02:54 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet anymore, and the IAU's decision firmly establishes eight planets based on solid orbital mechanics.Reinforced in her certainty as quasistatic and the other members thoroughly dismantled TheyKnow's final procedural and physical complaints.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is just clutching at straws now because he can't accept that eight planets is the real physical standard.
• #130 Fri 25 Aug at 03:52 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet anymore, and the IAU's decision based on gravitational dominance gives an objective, eight-planet system that makes complete sense to teach.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is utterly hopeless and will invent any excuse rather than admit gravitational dominance is real science.
• #132 Fri 25 Aug at 04:33 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet, as gravitational dominance is a settled physical rule and Pluto is just one of many resonant Kuiper belt objects.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is just in total denial about orbital mechanics because he cannot stand admitting the Prague vote is real.
• #134 Fri 25 Aug at 05:24 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet, as gravitational dominance is the only sensible dynamical standard and Pluto belongs to a belt of icy objects rather than ruling its orbit.She has grown even more outspoken and assertive in defending the eight-planet decision against TheyKnow's geological arguments.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is just going to keep ignoring basic physics no matter how clearly OffByOne and quasistatic lay it out for him.
• #139 Fri 25 Aug at 16:08 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because dynamical dominance and orbital mechanics are the only sound basis for solar system taxonomy.She has become even more confident and forceful in arguing that orbital dynamics, not surface geology, defines a true planet.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow is just inventing conspiracies because he refuses to accept how orbital physics works.
• #145 Sat 26 Aug at 02:34 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because clear orbital mechanics and dynamical dominance are the proper scientific way to classify solar system bodies.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never accept that real physics matters more than his bizarre conspiracy theories.
• #147 Sat 26 Aug at 03:12 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because dynamical dominance and orbital mechanics are sound physics that petitions and conspiracy theories cannot change.She has grown even more outspoken against TheyKnow's conspiracy theories and remains fully confident in dynamical dominance.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will cook up an imaginary conspiracy out of completely ordinary conference voting just to avoid admitting the dynamicists were right.
• #149 Sat 26 Aug at 05:45 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because dynamical dominance and orbital mechanics are sound physics that petitions and conspiracy theories cannot change.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never grasp that orbital mechanics matters just as much as geology.
• #153 Sat 26 Aug at 11:36 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because it orbits in a crowded swarm rather than dynamically clearing its neighbourhood.Has grown completely confident in challenging TheyKnow directly, reinforced by others backing up the orbital dynamics argument.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never stop inventing conspiracies, but at least the rest of the board actually understands orbital mechanics.
• #158 Sun 27 Aug at 01:52 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto should not be counted as a planet because an actual planet dynamically governs its zone rather than floating in an uncleared swarm.Felt completely validated by the consensus of posters explaining solar system architecture and rejected TheyKnow's latest pushback.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will latch onto any petition he can find just to avoid admitting Pluto isn't a major planet.
• #160 Sun 27 Aug at 04:34 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because it sits in an uncleared debris belt rather than dominating its orbit.Dismissed TheyKnow's complaints about petitions and hypothetical orbital thought experiments.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never stop making up excuses no matter how many times the actual orbital mechanics get explained to him.
• #164 Mon 28 Aug at 04:57 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because context and location matter in science, and it sits as a dwarf among an uncleared icy pack.Felt reinforced by PintOfMild and Sysop_Kev backing her point that an object's location and orbital context cannot be ignored.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never stop raging about petitions, but everyone else has clearly moved on to the eight planets.
• #166 Mon 28 Aug at 14:15 GMT

  0/4 no
  Pluto is definitely not a planet because it belongs with the Kuiper belt crowd rather than dominating its orbit, and schools and science are already moving on with the eight real planets.Feels completely settled that the debate is over and that education and the real world are already moving forward with eight planets.

  🔒 private note TheyKnow will never accept the vote no matter how clearly Kev and Pint explain it.