September 1, 2006
What's in a Name?
Pluton: n. A body of igneous rock formed beneath the surface of the Earth by consolidation of magma.
Astronomers' controversial proposal to create a new category of planet, giving Earth's solar system 12 planets, was tabled last week, in part thanks to other scientists' complaints.
That's because the name astronomers had chosen to describe two of the three new planets, plus Pluto, was already taken — by geologists, who know "plutons" not as small, round bodies
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