Double Planet - Definition of A Double Planet

Definition of A Double Planet

There has been some debate in the past on precisely where to draw the line between a double-planet and a planet–moon system. In most cases, this is not an issue because the satellite has a small mass relative to its host planet. In particular, with the exception of the Earth–Moon and Pluto–Charon systems, all satellites in the Solar System have masses less than 0.00025 (1⁄4000) the mass of the host planet or dwarf planet. On the other hand, the Moon to Earth mass ratio is 0.01230 (≈ 1⁄81), while the Charon to Pluto mass ratio is 0.117 (≈ 1⁄9).

Read more about this topic:  Double Planet

Famous quotes containing the words definition of a, definition of, definition, double and/or planet:

    Definition of a classic: a book everyone is assumed to have read and often thinks they have.
    Alan Bennett (b. 1934)

    Although there is no universal agreement as to a definition of life, its biological manifestations are generally considered to be organization, metabolism, growth, irritability, adaptation, and reproduction.
    The Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition, the first sentence of the article on “life” (based on wording in the First Edition, 1935)

    ... we all know the wag’s definition of a philanthropist: a man whose charity increases directly as the square of the distance.
    George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)

    ... the next war will be a war in which people not armies will suffer, and our boasted, hard-earned civilization will do us no good. Cannot the women rise to this great opportunity and work now, and not have the double horror, if another war comes, of losing their loved ones, and knowing that they lifted no finger when they might have worked hard?
    Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962)

    Spring is strong and virtuous,
    Broad-sowing, cheerful, plenteous,
    Quickening underneath the mould
    Grains beyond the price of gold.
    So deep and large her bounties are,
    That one broad, long midsummer day
    Shall to the planet overpay
    The ravage of a year of war.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)