POOR OLD PLUTO (THE PLANET) - DEMOTED AGAIN!

NOTE TO MYSELF: Sometimes you just don't get no respect

Once upon a time there was a planet named Pluto, who had some respect among eight other orbiting planets. It was considered a planet with some clout. However, as experts are known to do, last year some astronmers who are part of the International Astronomical Union that have power to make important decisions, resolved to strip Pluto of its planetary status at a meeting to debate the origin of the cosmos.

This is important stuff in the grand scheme of things.

When all the talk ended poor Pluto (the planet) was re-classified as a dwarf planet due to the discovery of Eris, a similar body created of rock and ice. In spite of this new reality Pluto was still considered the heftiest solar system object found beyond Neptune. In other words it was bad news but not that bad. At least that was the assumption until yet another recent discovery.

Now comes the news that weighing in at 16.6 billion trillion kilograms, heavenly body Eris is 27% more massive than Pluto. Eris, which has a small moon, has a diameter of 2400 kilometres, which is slightly larger than Pluto's 2270 kilometres. So now Pluto has received yet another blow to the relevance of its existence and importance among planets.

One wonders how this will affect horoscopes if at all. For example if a formerly important planet is demoted and its importance diminished, what would be the end result? In checking out this possibility, one particular horoscope had this to say about the subject:

"The presence and direction of Pluto's energy are never obvious until it is used. Pluto's influence in any sign is interpreted as generational or historical. In your personal life, Pluto's significance is interpreted from its house position and the aspects it makes to other natal planets in your horoscope. Pluto rules intense energy, and describes the areas in which you consciously or subconsciously seek to exercise power or control. Pluto is also linked to your karmic responsibility."

Another question worth pondering or at least thinking about, is will the Disney people now change the name of the 'toon dog, Pluto, to Eris?

Will things ever be the same again in the universe?


http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/1391

http://www.a2mediagroup.com/print.php?a=16025


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EARTH DAY TODAY

Note to self: today is Earth Day. Think about it.

Today is Earth Day, one day per year although it should be more, put aside to focus on the health of Mother Earth. According to many sources, 'mom E' isn't faring to well lately. Just read an article regarding bees and their decline due to - and it's pure speculation right now - a) a bee mite and/or b) environmental pollution of some type. Without bees there is no polination and no fruit and veggies for we humans.

According to the World Health Organization, "More than three billion people worldwide continue to depend on solid fuels, including biomass fuels (wood, dung, agricultural residues) and coal, for their energy needs.

Cooking and heating with solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves results in high levels of indoor air pollution. Indoor smoke contains a range of health-damaging pollutants, such as small particles and carbon monoxide, and particulate pollution levels may be 20 times higher than accepted guideline values."

In an article in The Indepent, April 22:

"In general, the more we know about a particular group of species, the more we realise that they are at risk. One in four mammals and one in every eight birds is threatened. Half of all tortoises and freshwater turtles are similarly endangered.

- Amphibians - frogs, toads, newts and salamanders - are perhaps the largest group of animals at serious risk.

About one in three species of amphibians are seriously endangered in some way or other and more than 120 species are thought to have died out over the past 25 years.

Amphibian specialists believe that a combination of factors may be involved, such as habitat loss and the spread of a deadly fungus, aided by the human trade in an African toad, a known carrier of the disease.

Up to 2,000 species of amphibians - the first vertebrates to conquer the land - are classified as endangered. The group is thought to be particularly vulnerable because their life cycles generally depend on two habitats, terrestrial and aquatic, for survival.

Something to think about and reflect upon.


http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article2119050.ece

http://www.cleanaircampaign.com/for_schools/for_kids/clean_air_for_kids_you_can_make_a_difference
http://www.epa.gov/p2/

http://www.epa.gov/earthday/history.htm

http://www.ijc.org/rel/agree/air.html#a

http://www.pollutionwatch.org/