Re: Meet the new neighbors: The solar system expands.

On Thu, 12 Sep 2024 22:11:35 -0400, Cryptoengineer
<petertrei@gmail.com> wrote:

On 9/12/2024 5:59 PM, William Hyde wrote:

Cryptoengineer wrote:

On 9/11/2024 3:53 PM, D wrote:

>
>
On Wed, 11 Sep 2024, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
>

https://scitechdaily.com/astronomers-stunned-by-unexpected-
discovery- of-new-celestial-bodies-in-the-outer-solar-system/
>
    Astronomers Stunned by Unexpected Discovery of New Celestial
    Bodies in the Outer Solar System
>
    Using the Subaru Telescope, astronomers have identified
    previously unknown celestial bodies in the outer Solar
    System, suggesting a larger, unexplored expanse that parallels
    other planetary systems.
>
    These findings, including a possible second ring of Kuiper
    Belt Objects, could reshape our understanding of planetary
    formation and potentially boost the chances of discovering
    extraterrestrial life by revealing a more extensive and
    typical structure of our Solar System compared to others.
    Discovery of New Objects in the Outer Solar System
>
    Observations of the outer Solar System with the Subaru
    Telescope have discovered new bodies where none were expected.
    The new objects are likely members of a much larger population
    waiting to be discovered. This discovery has profound
    implications for our understanding of the structure and
    history of the Solar System.
>

>
Ahh... so Subaru expanded from cars to telescopes! And planet X might
exist after all. ;)

>
The car company has nothing to do with the telescope.
>
The telescope is at Mauna Kea, but is owned by the National Observatory
of Japan.
>
The Japanese word for the Pleiades star cluster is 'Subaru'. Try looking
at a Subaru car badge sometime, and you'll see the star cluster.
>
Despite being known as the 'seven sisters', the logo has only six stars.
This matches what is actually naked eye visible now. When the cluster
acquired that name, seven were visible, but proper motion has since
moved two of them too close to resolve.

 
When I first read about this cluster sixty years ago my reference said
that people with "exceptionally good eyesight" could still distinguish
seven stars.
 
Was this true sixty years ago, or could my source possibly have
uncritically quoted some older work written when this was true?
Or was it just nonsense?
 
There was no point in testing it myself - I was pleased that I could see
six stars.
 
At the moment, I can't think of much SF that involves this cluster.

>
Calling them the 'seven sisters' goes back to classical Greece,
possibly much further.
>
From Wikipedia:
>
"As noted by scholar Stith Thompson, the constellation was "nearly
always imagined" as a group of seven sisters, and their myths explain
why there are only six.[47] Some scientists suggest that these may come
from observations back when Pleione was farther from Atlas and more
visible as a separate star as far back as 100,000 BC."
>
On the Nebra Sky Disk (1600 BC), there are 7 dots thought to be
the Pleiades.
>
I don't know what your source was quoting, but I imagine that
distinguishing seven got harder and harder over time. Also,
I'm sure many people talk themselves into thinking they see
seven, since that's what they're supposed to be.

If anyone is interested,
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades_(Greek_mythology)> discusses
the Seven Sisters in Greek mythology. This may be relevent:

"Merope, youngest of the Pleiades. In other mythic contexts, she
married Sisyphus and, becoming mortal, faded away."
--
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"