Eight or Nine?
For the last seventy-five years
people have known that our solar system consists of the Sun and Nine Planets.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) passed resolutions on 24th August,
2006 adopting new definitions for ‘PLANETS’ and ‘DWARF PLANETS’. As a result of
this PLUTO is no longer a Planet but is reclassified as a Dwarf Planet.
In 1930, Clyde W. Tombaugh, did
a careful survey of the sky beyond Neptune and discovered Pluto. This survey was
done from the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, USA. Not much is known about Pluto.
A spacecraft named ‘New Horizons’ has been launched in January 2006 and it is
scheduled to reach Pluto in the year 2015. It should enable astronomers to find
more about Pluto.
Pluto has an elliptical orbit
as opposed to the circular orbits of the other Planets. At times it is closer to
the Sun than Neptune: it was in this position from January 1979 to February 11,
1999. In 1978 a moon orbiting around Pluto was discovered; it was named ‘Charon’.
In 2005 two more tiny moons of Pluto were discovered: Nix and Hydra. They are
indeed tiny with circumference admeasuring approximately 60 km and 200 km
respectively. And now comes the news that the recognised body of astronomers:
The International Astronomical Union has resolved that the number of Planets in
our solar system is “Eight” as Pluto is no longer a Planet. It is only a Dwarf
Planet along with two other bodies Ceres and 2003 UB313 (temporary name).
Interestingly, Vedic Astrology
also indicates Nine Planets: “NAVAGRAHA”. However all are not planets as known
to astronomy. The head of the Navagraha is the Sun followed by the Moon, Mars,
Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Ketu and Venus. Rahu and Ketu are mythological
entities.
Reach for the sky
The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)
— DHRUV — from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) stormed the 45th Paris Air
Show held at Le Bourget. News reports indicate that it also caused aroused keen
interest at the recently concluded 2006 International Air Show at Farnborough.
The Helicopter’s looks, agility
and performance impressed the International community. It is reported to have an
excellent high-altitude performance. The competitive price is another factor.
Dhruv is at least 15 per cent cheaper than other helicopters in the 5.5 – tonne-class
family. Low noise level is a significant feature of military applications and
Dhruv was ahead of its competitors in this regard. This is indeed a big
achievement for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
