Originally, of course, a planet was anything that "wandered" against the background of stars. Comets weren't included, because the ancients thought each was a one-time occurence. When astronomers started to realize comets orbitted just like planets, they still made a distinction because the comet's tail made it seem distinct from planets.
It was the discovery of all those asteroids that messed everyone up. I say we blow them up.
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Date: 2006-08-21 06:03 pm (UTC)It was the discovery of all those asteroids that messed everyone up. I say we blow them up.