2 years ago
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
PBS' "The Pluto Files"
One week ago, I was pleasantly surprised while watching the PBS documentary "The Pluto Files," which was billed as a broadcast version of Dr. Neil de Grasse Tyson's book of the same name, published a little over a year ago.
The hour-long show, done in the form of a road trip by Tyson intended to uncover why people on both sides of the debate feel so strongly about Pluto, differed from the book in several ways. First, it centered less on Tyson's views and more on the views of people with strong connections to Pluto. There were no statements that "Pluto is just a large comet," that the four percent of the IAU who voted on the demotion were an accurate representation of the organization, or overlooking of the fact that the IAU definition specifically precludes dwarf planets from being planets--all of which are characteristics of the book.
Instead, this was a fair--and humorous--work that made it very clear the planet definition issue is a debate in progress and gave equal time to representatives of both sides of the issue. It was definitely "fair and balanced."
Watching it was a very unusual experience for me personally because this was the first time I watched a TV show in which I knew most of the participants personally, some as good friends and some as acquaintances. The blonde woman speaking for Pluto in the Streator, Illinois diner is my friend Siobhan Elias, who also attended the Great Planet Debate and subsequently lobbied the Illinois legislature to pass a resolution recognizing Pluto as a planet. Needless to say, seeing a good friend be interviewed and do such a great job advocating for planet Pluto was an exciting experience!
It was also exciting to see the Tombaugh family, including Clyde Tombaugh's daughter Annette, her husband Will Sitze, and her grandson Kyle, all of whom attended the Great Planet Debate as well. Patricia Tombaugh, Clyde's 97-year-old widow, was charming--who cannot help rooting for her to make it to 2015 to see New Horizons send back photos of Pluto!
Also featured were telescopes constructed by Clyde Tombaugh out of parts of an old Buick and a lawnmower, which while humorous, also drive home the intelligence and resourcefulness of the young farm boy who, with only a high school education, discovered Pluto at age 24.
This whimsical show traversed the country, stopping at Disney World in Florida, where Tyson met the dog to whom many still believe he gives far too much credit for people's affection for Pluto, and the great grandson of Walt Disney, who is reasonably certain his ancestor named the puppy for the planet. Other stops included the aforementioned Streator, Illinois; Las Cruces, New Mexico to meet the Tombaugh family; Pasadena, California to meet Eris discoverer Mike Brown; Harvard University, where Tyson and several astronomers used a football field to create a layout of the solar system; the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, to which Tyson invited Annette Tombaugh for a personal tour; and Laurel, Maryland, at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab--instantly recognizable to me as the site of the Great Planet Debate--to meet Alan Stern and the team working on New Horizons.
Also featured was a re-enactment of Tombaugh working at the telescope where Pluto was discovered, with Tombaugh played by his great-grandson Kyle, and a re-enactment of the breakfast scene where 11-year-old British girl Venetia Burney was told by her grandfather of the discovery of a new planet and her subsequent suggestion of the name Pluto.
In Las Cruces, even Tyson stood in awe of a beautiful stained glass window dedicated to Clyde Tombaugh at a local Unitarian Universalist Church. More about the window and its background can be found at
http://www.uuchurchlc.org/2009/11/tombaugh-window/
Science fiction fans likely noticed musical and other references to "Star Trek" and "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Admittedly, there could have been more in depth discussion of the main points on both sides of the debate. Several participants later noted that much footage of back and forth discussions on the matter never made it into the show. That sort of thing is typical of television and film. Editing is done for the purpose of creating a story. This story, as much entertainment as education, is more about the people to whom Pluto matters than the issue of Pluto itself.
If Mike Brown launched a diatribe on how he "killed" Pluto, that ended up on the cutting room floor. Brown said that while he initially believed he found the 10th planet when he discovered Eris, he later felt that claim was "fraudulent." Why? His rationale is that the small object he discovered pales in comparison to Uranus, discovered by William Herschel in 1781. Of course, the implication here is that size matters in determining the importance of a discovery. Finding a remote small planet with early 21st century technology is no less a feat than finding a gas giant with late 18th century technology.
In deference to Dr. Seuss, on whose birthday "The Pluto Files" aired, "a planet is a planet, no matter how small." Yes, I have a T-shirt with this very slogan.
There is likely enough additional footage from the road trip to create one sequel if not two. I hope Tyson considers this.
Most significantly, Tyson ended the show with a clear confirmation that the status of Pluto is a matter of ongoing debate. There was no "it's over; the IAU has spoken." The IAU vote was shown but only as a representation of one point of view, not as some sort of gospel truth. At the Hayden Planetarium, Tyson added a plaque adjacent to where Pluto is portrayed stating that astronomers have not reached consensus on the matter. This is very different from his previous statements, expressed in wording identical to that used by Brown--"how I killed Pluto, and why it had it coming." It is to Tyson's credit that this is not his chief line about Pluto anymore.
In fact, in a separate interview, Tyson claims he never stated publicly that our solar system has only eight planets, that his main goal in organizing the new Hayden Planetarium was to "group like objects with other like objects."
Yes, the most obvious way of doing that is to have one display of terrestrial planets and one display of jovians. But how about a display of the third class of planets, dwarf planets, all shown together? There are also potentially other display designs. "Like objects" could consist of all those in the solar system that potentially might harbor microbial life--Mars, Ceres, Europa, Enceladus, Titan, Pluto, and perhaps others in addition to Earth. "Like objects" could consist of the two planets that have large moons formed by a giant impact and also have nitrogen atmospheres--Earth and Pluto. "Like objects" could feature the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn in one category, as all three are composed mostly of hydrogen and helium. Maybe the Hayden Planetarium needs to expand to make room for displays of the many different combinations of celestial objects that have "like" characteristics.
"The Pluto Files" is available on DVD at http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=4010463
Meanwhile, on March 13, the 80th anniversary of Lowell Observatory's announcement of Pluto's discovery, Pluto supporters in Seattle plan to again stage their annual rally in support of Pluto's planet status. I wish I could be there, but it is a long trip from New Jersey to Seattle. I personally congratulate all who take part in the rally for not giving up on planet Pluto. More information on this event and its sponsors can be found at http://www.greenwoodspacetravelsupply.com/events.html and at
http://www.greenwoodspacetravelsupply.com/catalog/pluto.html
Mike Brown's claims that the debate is over and that only a tiny leftover fringe of astronomers and lay people still reject the IAU definition are more and more ringing hollow over time. The geophysical definition of planet, which states that dwarf planets are planets too, is alive and well as a legitimate viewpoint and will remain so for the forseeable future.
The hour-long show, done in the form of a road trip by Tyson intended to uncover why people on both sides of the debate feel so strongly about Pluto, differed from the book in several ways. First, it centered less on Tyson's views and more on the views of people with strong connections to Pluto. There were no statements that "Pluto is just a large comet," that the four percent of the IAU who voted on the demotion were an accurate representation of the organization, or overlooking of the fact that the IAU definition specifically precludes dwarf planets from being planets--all of which are characteristics of the book.
Instead, this was a fair--and humorous--work that made it very clear the planet definition issue is a debate in progress and gave equal time to representatives of both sides of the issue. It was definitely "fair and balanced."
Watching it was a very unusual experience for me personally because this was the first time I watched a TV show in which I knew most of the participants personally, some as good friends and some as acquaintances. The blonde woman speaking for Pluto in the Streator, Illinois diner is my friend Siobhan Elias, who also attended the Great Planet Debate and subsequently lobbied the Illinois legislature to pass a resolution recognizing Pluto as a planet. Needless to say, seeing a good friend be interviewed and do such a great job advocating for planet Pluto was an exciting experience!
It was also exciting to see the Tombaugh family, including Clyde Tombaugh's daughter Annette, her husband Will Sitze, and her grandson Kyle, all of whom attended the Great Planet Debate as well. Patricia Tombaugh, Clyde's 97-year-old widow, was charming--who cannot help rooting for her to make it to 2015 to see New Horizons send back photos of Pluto!
Also featured were telescopes constructed by Clyde Tombaugh out of parts of an old Buick and a lawnmower, which while humorous, also drive home the intelligence and resourcefulness of the young farm boy who, with only a high school education, discovered Pluto at age 24.
This whimsical show traversed the country, stopping at Disney World in Florida, where Tyson met the dog to whom many still believe he gives far too much credit for people's affection for Pluto, and the great grandson of Walt Disney, who is reasonably certain his ancestor named the puppy for the planet. Other stops included the aforementioned Streator, Illinois; Las Cruces, New Mexico to meet the Tombaugh family; Pasadena, California to meet Eris discoverer Mike Brown; Harvard University, where Tyson and several astronomers used a football field to create a layout of the solar system; the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, to which Tyson invited Annette Tombaugh for a personal tour; and Laurel, Maryland, at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab--instantly recognizable to me as the site of the Great Planet Debate--to meet Alan Stern and the team working on New Horizons.
Also featured was a re-enactment of Tombaugh working at the telescope where Pluto was discovered, with Tombaugh played by his great-grandson Kyle, and a re-enactment of the breakfast scene where 11-year-old British girl Venetia Burney was told by her grandfather of the discovery of a new planet and her subsequent suggestion of the name Pluto.
In Las Cruces, even Tyson stood in awe of a beautiful stained glass window dedicated to Clyde Tombaugh at a local Unitarian Universalist Church. More about the window and its background can be found at
http://www.uuchurchlc.org/2009/11/tombau
Science fiction fans likely noticed musical and other references to "Star Trek" and "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Admittedly, there could have been more in depth discussion of the main points on both sides of the debate. Several participants later noted that much footage of back and forth discussions on the matter never made it into the show. That sort of thing is typical of television and film. Editing is done for the purpose of creating a story. This story, as much entertainment as education, is more about the people to whom Pluto matters than the issue of Pluto itself.
If Mike Brown launched a diatribe on how he "killed" Pluto, that ended up on the cutting room floor. Brown said that while he initially believed he found the 10th planet when he discovered Eris, he later felt that claim was "fraudulent." Why? His rationale is that the small object he discovered pales in comparison to Uranus, discovered by William Herschel in 1781. Of course, the implication here is that size matters in determining the importance of a discovery. Finding a remote small planet with early 21st century technology is no less a feat than finding a gas giant with late 18th century technology.
In deference to Dr. Seuss, on whose birthday "The Pluto Files" aired, "a planet is a planet, no matter how small." Yes, I have a T-shirt with this very slogan.
There is likely enough additional footage from the road trip to create one sequel if not two. I hope Tyson considers this.
Most significantly, Tyson ended the show with a clear confirmation that the status of Pluto is a matter of ongoing debate. There was no "it's over; the IAU has spoken." The IAU vote was shown but only as a representation of one point of view, not as some sort of gospel truth. At the Hayden Planetarium, Tyson added a plaque adjacent to where Pluto is portrayed stating that astronomers have not reached consensus on the matter. This is very different from his previous statements, expressed in wording identical to that used by Brown--"how I killed Pluto, and why it had it coming." It is to Tyson's credit that this is not his chief line about Pluto anymore.
In fact, in a separate interview, Tyson claims he never stated publicly that our solar system has only eight planets, that his main goal in organizing the new Hayden Planetarium was to "group like objects with other like objects."
Yes, the most obvious way of doing that is to have one display of terrestrial planets and one display of jovians. But how about a display of the third class of planets, dwarf planets, all shown together? There are also potentially other display designs. "Like objects" could consist of all those in the solar system that potentially might harbor microbial life--Mars, Ceres, Europa, Enceladus, Titan, Pluto, and perhaps others in addition to Earth. "Like objects" could consist of the two planets that have large moons formed by a giant impact and also have nitrogen atmospheres--Earth and Pluto. "Like objects" could feature the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn in one category, as all three are composed mostly of hydrogen and helium. Maybe the Hayden Planetarium needs to expand to make room for displays of the many different combinations of celestial objects that have "like" characteristics.
"The Pluto Files" is available on DVD at http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?p
Meanwhile, on March 13, the 80th anniversary of Lowell Observatory's announcement of Pluto's discovery, Pluto supporters in Seattle plan to again stage their annual rally in support of Pluto's planet status. I wish I could be there, but it is a long trip from New Jersey to Seattle. I personally congratulate all who take part in the rally for not giving up on planet Pluto. More information on this event and its sponsors can be found at http://www.greenwoodspacetravelsupply.co
http://www.greenwoodspacetravelsupply.co
Mike Brown's claims that the debate is over and that only a tiny leftover fringe of astronomers and lay people still reject the IAU definition are more and more ringing hollow over time. The geophysical definition of planet, which states that dwarf planets are planets too, is alive and well as a legitimate viewpoint and will remain so for the forseeable future.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Virtually Speaking with Jay Ackroyd: Alan Boyle
Listen to internet radio with Jay Ackroyd on Blog Talk Radio
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hear Dr. Ken Croswell Talk about Pluto This Week
Those who missed Dr. Ken Croswell's two radio interviews about Pluto last week have three more chances this week to not just listen but call in and voice your opinions. I am happy to report that Dr. Croswell will be speaking on the following stations and dates (please note that times and dates are subject to change; I will try to post notices of any last-minute changes):
Tuesday, February 23, 1 pm to 2 pm Eastern time: KERA in Dallas: http://www.kera.org/audio . Program: "Think." Live call-in show.
Wednesday, February 24, 1 pm to 1:30 or possibly 2 pm Eastern time: WLRN in Miami: http://www.wlrn.org/: Program: "Topical Currents." Live call-in show.
Friday, February 26, 12 noon to 1 pm Eastern time: WXXI in Rochester, New York: http://interactive.wxxi.org/listen . Program: "1370 Connection." Live call-in show.
For more information about Dr. Croswell's books, interviews, and astronomy activities, please visit his site at http://kencroswell.com/
A Plea to Save Sperry Observatory
What I write below concerns the astronomy club to which I belong, Amateur Astronomers, Inc., and its home of over 40 years, Sperry Observatory. However, I emphasize that I am not writing this on behalf of the organization or in any official capacity, but as a member who has benefitted from this group and its home and is seriously concerned about its future.
Two-and-a-half years ago, I had the good fortune to find and join a local astronomy club here in central New Jersey, Amateur Astronomers, Incorporated (AAI) whose home is Sperry Observatory, at Union County College. AAI quickly became far more than a place to learn about astronomy. This group, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary in November 2009, welcomed me to a close-knit group that is like an extended family. All newcomers are welcomed, regardless of their familiarity with astronomy, and quickly integrated into this friendly community.
This welcome was particularly meaningful to me in September 2007, after having been heavily demonized in a nasty local political campaign in my hometown since 1969. Finding people who accepted not just newcomers, but me, with all my quirks, without judgment, people who look toward everyone's strengths rather than jump on their weaknesses, was like winning the lottery. It literally made my year.
For over 40 years, AAI has made its home at Sperry Observatory, whose construction was funded by a $150,000 endowment in honor of William Miller Sperry, a local philanthropist and amateur astronomer. The observatory houses two of the largest telescopes used by amateur astronomers on the east coast--a 24-inch f/11 Cassegrain reflector, and a 10-inch f/15 refractor, the latter a gift built by AAI members and donated to Union County College.
In mid-December 2009, the last month of the International Year of Astronomy, AAI was sent a letter by the then-president of Union County College announcing the school planned to terminate its 40+ year agreement with AAI and evicting AAI from Sperry Observatory as of July 21, 2010.
It is understandable that in the midst of "The Great Recession," county colleges are short on funds and narrowly focusing on the "bottom line." However, in doing so regarding Sperry, Union County College is discounting the value of just how much AAI contributes to the school and community. Astronomy classes are held in the observatory building, and students in these classes regularly complete extra credit projects by attending AAI's weekly open public nights. These open public nights are free to all, members and non-members alike. Weather permitting, they provide an opportunity for visitors ranging from children to senior citizens to view planets, stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, etc., often for the first time. A special event in 1986 to view Halley's Comet attracted thousands.
Countless children have had the chance to learn about various aspects of astronomy and observe celestial objects personally at Sperry. These include Girl and Boy Scouts, classes from local schools, and members of various other youth groups. Once a month, a professional astronomer is hosted at the college, each time speaking on a different cutting-edge astronomy-related subject. These lectures have filled the entire college auditorium on many occasions. How could anyone put a price on these opportunities? The town of Cranford, where Sperry is located, recognized the priceless contributions of AAI when its mayor and council awarded the group a commendation in 2007.
If the college needs more space, Sperry Observatory, a small building, will not provide much in that area. No new building can be constructed on the site, as it is wetlands (laws against building on wetlands were not yet in effect when the observatory was built during the 1960s). The sad reality is that this group that has done so much for the community is being targeted largely for internal political reasons in a conflict that can have no winners.
Tomorrow evening, two AAI representatives will be meeting with the college's Board of Trustees to try to convince them to rescind the eviction and renew the college's agreement with AAI. That is why I, as an individual, representing no one but myself, am asking friends, fellow lovers of astronomy, club members, non-members who have taken part in AAI programs, and anyone who recognizes the benefits of an astronomical observatory in an urban setting, to contact the public officials who can make a difference in this matter. Community colleges are publicly funded, and their Boards of Trustees are appointed by elected county Freeholders, so a strong message from the public could lead these officials to reconsider and save Sperry Observatory.
Please contact the following individuals and urge them to use their influence with Union County College's Board of Trustees in support of Sperry and a reinstating of the college's four decades-long agreement with AAI.
Contacts:
Dr. Jack Farrell, College President, UCC Cranford Campus, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ, 07016, email address farrell@ucc.edu
Dr. Victor Richel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, same address as above. Email him through Susan Matika at matika@ucc.edu
Union County College Web Site http://www.ucc.edu/default.htm
Members of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders:
Angel G. Estrada aestrada@ucnj.org
Mohamed S. Jalloh mjalloh@ucnj.org
Bette Jane Kowalksi bkowalski@@ucnj.org
Alexander Mirabella amirabella@ucnj.org
Rick Proctor rproctor@ucnj.org
Deborah P. Scanlon dscanlon@ucnj.org
Daniel P. Sullivan, Freeholder Director, dsullivan@ucnj.org Rayland Van Blake rvanblake@ucnj.org
Nancy Ward nward@ucnj.org
Dr. Ed Davis, Union County, NJ Superintendent of Schools ed.davis@ucps.k12.nc.us
Dr. Gayle Carrick, Cranford, NJ Superintendent of Schools suptoffice@cranfordschools.org
Dr. Margaret Dolan, Westfield, NJ Superintendent of Schools mdolan@westfieldnjk12.org
Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to lend AAI support. Our observatory is a second home to many, with some members having been around for decades. We hope it can remain our home and a welcoming place for people of all ages to learn astronomy for many years to come.
Two-and-a-half years ago, I had the good fortune to find and join a local astronomy club here in central New Jersey, Amateur Astronomers, Incorporated (AAI) whose home is Sperry Observatory, at Union County College. AAI quickly became far more than a place to learn about astronomy. This group, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary in November 2009, welcomed me to a close-knit group that is like an extended family. All newcomers are welcomed, regardless of their familiarity with astronomy, and quickly integrated into this friendly community.
This welcome was particularly meaningful to me in September 2007, after having been heavily demonized in a nasty local political campaign in my hometown since 1969. Finding people who accepted not just newcomers, but me, with all my quirks, without judgment, people who look toward everyone's strengths rather than jump on their weaknesses, was like winning the lottery. It literally made my year.
For over 40 years, AAI has made its home at Sperry Observatory, whose construction was funded by a $150,000 endowment in honor of William Miller Sperry, a local philanthropist and amateur astronomer. The observatory houses two of the largest telescopes used by amateur astronomers on the east coast--a 24-inch f/11 Cassegrain reflector, and a 10-inch f/15 refractor, the latter a gift built by AAI members and donated to Union County College.
In mid-December 2009, the last month of the International Year of Astronomy, AAI was sent a letter by the then-president of Union County College announcing the school planned to terminate its 40+ year agreement with AAI and evicting AAI from Sperry Observatory as of July 21, 2010.
It is understandable that in the midst of "The Great Recession," county colleges are short on funds and narrowly focusing on the "bottom line." However, in doing so regarding Sperry, Union County College is discounting the value of just how much AAI contributes to the school and community. Astronomy classes are held in the observatory building, and students in these classes regularly complete extra credit projects by attending AAI's weekly open public nights. These open public nights are free to all, members and non-members alike. Weather permitting, they provide an opportunity for visitors ranging from children to senior citizens to view planets, stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, etc., often for the first time. A special event in 1986 to view Halley's Comet attracted thousands.
Countless children have had the chance to learn about various aspects of astronomy and observe celestial objects personally at Sperry. These include Girl and Boy Scouts, classes from local schools, and members of various other youth groups. Once a month, a professional astronomer is hosted at the college, each time speaking on a different cutting-edge astronomy-related subject. These lectures have filled the entire college auditorium on many occasions. How could anyone put a price on these opportunities? The town of Cranford, where Sperry is located, recognized the priceless contributions of AAI when its mayor and council awarded the group a commendation in 2007.
If the college needs more space, Sperry Observatory, a small building, will not provide much in that area. No new building can be constructed on the site, as it is wetlands (laws against building on wetlands were not yet in effect when the observatory was built during the 1960s). The sad reality is that this group that has done so much for the community is being targeted largely for internal political reasons in a conflict that can have no winners.
Tomorrow evening, two AAI representatives will be meeting with the college's Board of Trustees to try to convince them to rescind the eviction and renew the college's agreement with AAI. That is why I, as an individual, representing no one but myself, am asking friends, fellow lovers of astronomy, club members, non-members who have taken part in AAI programs, and anyone who recognizes the benefits of an astronomical observatory in an urban setting, to contact the public officials who can make a difference in this matter. Community colleges are publicly funded, and their Boards of Trustees are appointed by elected county Freeholders, so a strong message from the public could lead these officials to reconsider and save Sperry Observatory.
Please contact the following individuals and urge them to use their influence with Union County College's Board of Trustees in support of Sperry and a reinstating of the college's four decades-long agreement with AAI.
Contacts:
Dr. Jack Farrell, College President, UCC Cranford Campus, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ, 07016, email address farrell@ucc.edu
Dr. Victor Richel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, same address as above. Email him through Susan Matika at matika@ucc.edu
Union County College Web Site http://www.ucc.edu/default.htm
Members of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders:
Angel G. Estrada aestrada@ucnj.org
Mohamed S. Jalloh mjalloh@ucnj.org
Bette Jane Kowalksi bkowalski@@ucnj.org
Alexander Mirabella amirabella@ucnj.org
Rick Proctor rproctor@ucnj.org
Deborah P. Scanlon dscanlon@ucnj.org
Daniel P. Sullivan, Freeholder Director, dsullivan@ucnj.org Rayland Van Blake rvanblake@ucnj.org
Nancy Ward nward@ucnj.org
Dr. Ed Davis, Union County, NJ Superintendent of Schools ed.davis@ucps.k12.nc.us
Dr. Gayle Carrick, Cranford, NJ Superintendent of Schools suptoffice@cranfordschools.org
Dr. Margaret Dolan, Westfield, NJ Superintendent of Schools mdolan@westfieldnjk12.org
Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to lend AAI support. Our observatory is a second home to many, with some members having been around for decades. We hope it can remain our home and a welcoming place for people of all ages to learn astronomy for many years to come.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Dr. Ken Croswell to Discuss Pluto on WABC
Sorry for the short notice, but Dr. Ken Croswell will discuss Pluto tonight at 11:30 PM EST on WABC's John Batchelor show. You can listen at the link below:
http://www.wabcradio.com/article.asp?id=531472
http://www.wabcradio.com/article.asp?id=5
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