Far Out: Astronomers Say Two Unknown Planets May Lurk Beyond Pluto

[IDemo]

"Planet X" might actually exist — and so might "Planet Y."

At least two planets larger than Earth likely lurk in the dark depths of space far beyond Pluto, just waiting to be discovered, a new analysis of the orbits of "extreme trans-Neptunian objects" (ETNOs) suggests.

Researchers studied 13 ETNOs — frigid bodies such as the dwarf planet Sedna that cruise around the sun at great distances in elliptical paths.

Theory predicts a certain set of details for ETNO orbits, study team members said. For example, they should have a semi-major axis, or average distance from the sun, of about 150 astronomical units (AU). (1 AU is the distance from Earth to the sun — roughly 93 million miles, or 150 million kilometers.) These orbits should also have an inclination, relative to the plane of the solar system, of almost 0 degrees, among other characteristics.

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/far-out-astronomers-say-two-unknown-planets-may-lurk-beyond-n287856

[eppur_se_muova]

1. "almost 0 degrees" ?? How do we interpret that ? nt

[IDemo]

2. Meaning, orbits which are essentially flat with respect to the plane of the Solar system

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecliptic#Plane_of_the_Solar_System

[eppur_se_muova]

3. So, they're less than zero degrees ? Or a fraction of zero degrees ?

"Nearly zero" would express the idea better. "Almost" suggests "smaller in magnitude", which is impossible when comparing to zero, or "arithmetically less", meaning a negative number, which could still be sizable.

I guess scientists are pickier about such things than journalists.

[IDemo]

4. "Almost" shouldn't be overly alarming here

While it can certainly mean a quantity less-than, it can also mean "in the vicinity". "Near" or "approximately" would be better suited, but I'm not seeing a major offense here.

[Jim Lane]

5. I agree. "It's almost freezing out" means a temperature a little bit above 32 F. (n/t)

[jimlup]

7. I think you are reading too much into the language here

"almost zero" is a perfectly legitimate descriptive term. I would use it myself in similar descriptions. That would mean for example when compared to Pluto which is (if I recall correctly) approximately 20 degrees. Thus 2 degrees or even 7 degrees would easily qualify as "almost" zero.

Just say'n

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Keep Neil DeGrasse Tyson away from them!

signed____________Pluto

[Fozzledick]

8. Mickey and Goofy?

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

9. How about Hel (Norse goddess of the Niflheim -- the world of ice and the afterlife)

For one and Tuoni (the Finnish equivalent to Hel) for the other.