Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Exoplanet Discoveries Called Into Question

It's about time

I've long thought that most of these so-called planets are actually brown dwarves. However where does one one draw the line between gas giant and small star? Most people like to call Jupiter a "planet". I'd argue that Jupiter is an undersized star just below ignition mass and not really a planet. To be called a "planet", the object in question should have a solid surface and not simply an atmosphere that gets so dense due to pressure that it is indistinguishable from a solid. Our astonomical definitions need upgrading.

Gary

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (8 posts)