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Pluto thought to be warming up
ABC News ^ | ABC News

Posted on 07/26/2006 6:53:09 PM PDT by MNJohnnie

Astronomers at the University of Tasmania have found that the solar system's smallest planet is not getting colder as first thought and it probably does not have rings.

Dr John Greenhill has collected observations from last month's event when Pluto passed in front of a bright star, making it easier to study.

French scientists have shared the measurements they took in Tasmania that night, which indicate that the planet is unlikely to have rings.

Dr Greenhill says the results are surprising because they show Pluto is warming up.

"It looks as though the atmosphere has not changed from 2002, which is pretty surprising because we expected the atmosphere would freeze out as the planet moved further away from the Sun," he said.

"But so far, if anything, the atmosphere has gotten even denser."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: algore; artbell; climatechange; globalwarming; goofy; kooktokookam; xplanets
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To: Syncro
Pluto thought to be warming up

Actually, they'll be bringing the other guy in...


61 posted on 07/26/2006 7:21:41 PM PDT by mikrofon (Goofy Pitcher)
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To: MNJohnnie

Maybe it's the plutonium.


62 posted on 07/26/2006 7:22:07 PM PDT by buridan
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To: Lokibob
Why, on every thread. does somebody HAVE to say "it is Bushs fault"? Honestly, FReepers are more creative, I would think.

Indeed. That has gotten old. And does every thread about hot women need that same photo of Helen Thomas posted?

FR needs a moratorium on both of these worn out replies.

63 posted on 07/26/2006 7:26:46 PM PDT by Drew68
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To: MNJohnnie
That's what Pluto gets for not abiding by the Kyoto treaty.
64 posted on 07/26/2006 7:28:21 PM PDT by SouthJrzReaganite18 (Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. -Optimus Prime)
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To: MNJohnnie

Global Warming threads are some of the funniest on FR..


65 posted on 07/26/2006 7:39:28 PM PDT by cardinal4 (America, despite the usual suspects, stands firmly with Israel..)
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To: zeugma
Venus = 12m 35.3s (1.5135 au)

I thought Venus was closer to the sun than Earth. If true shouldn't it be less than one astronomical unit? Also if it takes roughly seven minutes for sun light to reach earth why does it take over twelve to get to venus?

Am I missing something?

Should I go look in Myanus?

66 posted on 07/26/2006 7:39:42 PM PDT by joshhiggins (O you who believe! do not take the MUSLIMS for friends; ...surely Allah does not guide the unjust...)
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To: MNJohnnie
Pluto thought to be warming up

But Minnie says he's still a bit stand-off-ish.

67 posted on 07/26/2006 7:43:13 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Yes, I used this same joke on Flag Day. So sue me. It's America.)
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To: Lokibob

I've noticed that, too. It must be Bush's fault.
";^)


68 posted on 07/26/2006 7:47:14 PM PDT by Past Your Eyes (In my opinion, monotheism is a gift from the gods.)
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To: clamper1797

As if earth wasn't enough, Bush and Rove are now plotting to destroy Pluto.

Fortunately, I booked my trip to Pluto online and packed light. A hooded parka, a bottle of cognac and a comely Pluto babe has already been arranged by the concierge at the Plutonian Inn Express.

Oh, and I saved on terrestrial rental through Geico.


69 posted on 07/26/2006 7:51:30 PM PDT by Hilltop
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To: MNJohnnie

Global warming?


70 posted on 07/26/2006 7:52:47 PM PDT by A. Pole (Gore:We are the most powerful force of nature.We are changing the relationship between Earth and Sun)
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To: joshhiggins
I thought Venus was closer to the sun than Earth. If true shouldn't it be less than one astronomical unit? Also if it takes roughly seven minutes for sun light to reach earth why does it take over twelve to get to venus?

Am I missing something?

Yes.

If Venus is on the other side of the Sun from us, you would need to add the Earth's distance plus Venus' distance. 

The graphic below displays the current positions of the inner planets as of 7-26-2006.

 

71 posted on 07/26/2006 7:53:02 PM PDT by zeugma (I reject your reality and substitute my own in its place.)
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To: Lokibob
Why, on every thread. does somebody HAVE to say "it is Bushs fault"? Honestly, FReepers are more creative, I would think.

Thats just it Lokibob, Liberals are not at all creative in their ability to blame every ill in the world, or in this case the universe, on George W.

Its a great little jab at them and always will be. Their blind and ignorant hatred of the man, and all conservatives, DESERVES that kind of mind-numbing-simpleton response.

However, in an effort to satisfy your complaint I allow the following.

In the news today it was decided at the UN-League-of-Planets that the leader of the United States of America, Planet Earth, was directly to blame for the increase in planetary tempeture experienced by the peace-loving planet of Pluto because of the Orbiting Scout space craft sent into the atmosphere of Pluto. Before this the planet of Pluto had zero defect and was in near perfection. Useless News has learned tat Halliburton, the builder of the spacecraft in a no-bid contract, could not be reached for comment. It should be noted that Vice President Dick Cheney, is a large stock holder of Halliburton.

72 posted on 07/26/2006 8:00:59 PM PDT by ICE-FLYER (God bless and keep the United States of America)
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To: Wuli
Your's is as good as any to reply to .... The evidence is in ...

The Universe is not expanding ... it is contracting !!!

All planets warming up? They must be closing in on the sun. The sun is obviously a giant magnet and attracting all heavenly bodies to it.

We're freakin' DOOMED !!!

73 posted on 07/26/2006 8:03:51 PM PDT by knarf (A place where anyone can learn anything ... especially that which promotes clear thinking.)
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To: MNJohnnie
As it's happening on Mars too, why not on outer solar-system solid bodies with atmospheres?

Something of the Sun?

74 posted on 07/26/2006 8:16:41 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: Lokibob
"Why, on every thread. does somebody HAVE to say "it is Bushs fault"?"

I dunno........but, you know it's gotta be Bush's fault, somehow.

75 posted on 07/26/2006 8:18:12 PM PDT by Thumper1960 (Politicians are like diapers. They need changed often, and for the same reasons.)
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To: MNJohnnie

Quick, send Al Gore. Please.


76 posted on 07/26/2006 8:19:53 PM PDT by AZLiberty (Creating the <a href="http://clinton.senate.gov">straddle</a> Google bomb one post at a time.)
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To: TommyDale
>> "Must be too many Hummers cruising around Uranus."

> Just spit my drink all over the keyboard. Many will not get the joke, but I think it is a classic. ;-D

I'm just glad to see I wasn't the only one around here with a dirty mind. Thanks!!

77 posted on 07/26/2006 8:20:37 PM PDT by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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To: MNJohnnie
Image hosted by Photobucket.com and there it is...
78 posted on 07/26/2006 8:33:17 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: Lokibob
Why, on every thread. does somebody HAVE to say "it is Bushs fault"? Honestly, FReepers are more creative, I would think.

Oh, kwitcherbitchin' - it's not like someone put panties on your head... :->

79 posted on 07/26/2006 8:42:23 PM PDT by A. Goodwin
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To: MNJohnnie
Dr Greenhill says the results are surprising because they show Pluto is warming up.

Given Bush's poll numbers, it is exigent we connect with these distant Republicans and find some legal way to get their votes to register on Earth in time for November.

80 posted on 07/26/2006 9:55:38 PM PDT by BlazingArizona
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