This has nothing to do with weather, still less with hurricanes, but I found it on Eric Berger’s “SciGuy” blog, and it’s amusing enough to warrant a post:
Given the considerable debate as to whether such outer solar system objects as Pluto and Eris (2003 UB313) should be counted as planets, and the not-entirely satisfactory resolution on the matter recently passed by the International Astronomical Union, we offer the best possible definition of a planet–the TEXAN definition: . . .
• Since any object too small to be considered a planet is a “minor planet”, a “small solar system body”, or a “dwarf planet”, and
• Since anything bigger than TEXAS is certainly not minor, not small, and not a dwarf,
• Therefore, a planet must be any star-orbiting, non-fusing celestial body larger than the smallest sphere containing TEXAS
Using the present boundaries of Texas, this works out to a definition of a planet as an object with a diameter of at least 1,298.5 km (806.9 miles). This is the distance (through the Earth) between the northwestmost point in the Texas Panhandle and the southern tip of Texas near Brownsville. With this definition, our solar system has at least 10 and perhaps 14 known planets, so far.
Heh. There’s even a helpful photo illustration, for comparison purposes.
As a USC football fan (with, consequently, a certain degree of antipathy toward a certain university in Texas), I can’t entirely endorse this plan. But still, it’s pretty funny.
PJM Home
Pajamas Media appreciates your comments that abide by the following guidelines:
1. Avoid profanities or foul language unless it is contained in a necessary quote or is relevant to the comment.
2. Stay on topic.
3. Disagree, but avoid ad hominem attacks.
4. Threats are treated seriously and reported to law enforcement.
5. Spam and advertising are not permitted in the comments area.
The clause regarding "hate speech" has been deleted because readers criticized it as being too loosely defined. We agreed.
These guidelines are very general and cannot cover every possible situation. Please don't assume that Pajamas Media management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment. We reserve the right to filter or delete comments or to deny posting privileges entirely at our discretion. If you feel your comment was filtered inappropriately, please email us at story@pajamasmedia.com.