Hail Eris!

[mdlbear]

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Astronomers name 'world of chaos'

The distant world whose discovery prompted leading astronomers to demote Pluto from the rank of "planet" has now been given its own official name.

Having caused so much consternation in the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the object has been called Eris, after the Greek goddess of discord.

Eris is larger than Pluto, which put scientists in the fix of having to call them both planets - or neither.

Both bodies have now been put in the new classification of "dwarf planets".

Eris' discoverer, Michael Brown of the California Institute of Technology, told the Associated Press that the name was an obvious choice, calling it "too perfect to resist".

(From gridlore and khaosworks.)

Somehow I always pictured Eris as being taller. (Waves at chaoswolf.)

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

hee hee hee... I always knew geeks had a perverted sense of humor. Delicious proof.

[jenkitty.livejournal.com]

That is so incredibly brilliant. I heartily approve.

I'm waiting for the astrologers to get hold of this... "Now, Eris is in your tenth house in retrograde, and trine your Mars..."

Maybe they can declare that Eris rules the sign of Ouroborous... :)