A Ninth Planet for Our Solar System?

Yes, that's right, after 10 years, the International Astronomical Society have realized their mistake and are reinstating Pluto as the ninth planet. It's a controversial decision in the astronomical world, but the IAU has recognized the public popularity of Pluto, especially after the New Horizons visit, and astronomers now feel that an exemption should be made for Pluto.

Uhhh, no. Did I have you going? Probably not.

So, yes, scientists have announced that there is likely a large body very far out in the solar system, hundreds of AU away. It obviously isn't official yet, but this is some very interesting news. The hypothetical planet would likely be about 10 times more massive than the Earth and would orbit about 20 times further away then Neptune. The evidence for the existence of this object, since we haven't actually seen anything, is that the orbits of 6 Kuiper Belt objects seem to be heavily influenced by something. The orbits all point in the same general direction, even though the objects, including the dwarf planet Sedna, are moving at very different speeds.

If you recall your astronomical history, you'll remember that the search for Neptune commenced because of perceived inconsistencies in Uranus' orbit, and that the search for Pluto occurred because of inconsistencies in Uranus' and Neptune's orbits. So, as with most extraordinary discoveries, it's important not to jump to any conclusions. But I do find it interesting that a few months back, scientists hypothesized the existence of a fifth gas giant in the early solar system which was cast out due to interactions from an early Jupiter or Saturn. This hypothetical planet would have been an ice giant, like Uranus and Neptune. The new "Ninth Planet" is also almost certainly an ice giant which probably did not form that far out in the solar system. Interesting how this works out, isn't it? I'm expecting to hear more about this in the future.

Making Golf Less Affordable

Are you a golf course owner looking to bring more business to your struggling golf course? Do you not care much for this whole "golf should be environmentally friendly" thing, and do you think that instead of making a round more affordable, what you need is a wealthier, more exclusive clientele? Well, then I have some great news for you! The USGA just published a guide to making golf way more expensive, so that you too can appeal to the true elites of society. Success is virtually guaranteed! Who needs the common golfer, anyway? Certainly, not you, wise golf course owner. Because everyone knows that once you start inviting the masses in, you might become popular, and you don't want that, do you? Your golf course would be filled with paying customers, and that's just obscene right there.

On a non-sarcastic note: PLEASE WHY IS GOLF SO EXPENSIVE. And yes, I count anything more than $50 or $60 as expensive. I like golf but I can't pay that much money more than a couple times a year. Same goes for memberships. Right now I drive 25 minutes to play golf, because it was the only place within 20 miles that was even sort of affordable. I can't spend $3000 for a membership, I could barely afford what I did pay. I guess that's what I get for living in one of the wealthiest counties in the country.