Short Takes.* PLUTO NOT A PLANET? Poor Pluto has always been the runt The frame that remains after a collision on a CSMA/CD medium such as Ethernet. Runts are undersize packets, smaller than what the network protocol calls for, such as 64 bytes in Ethernet. Electrical interference or faulty wiring can also produce a runt. of the litter. Of the nine planets in our solar system solar system, the sun and the surrounding planets, natural satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets that are bound by its gravity. The sun is by far the most massive part of the solar system, containing almost 99.9% of the system's total mass. , it's both the smallest and farthest from the sun. Now some scientists question whether the scrawny ice ball should be considered a planet at all. Last January, astronomers at the Rose Center for Earth and Space The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a notable part of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The main entrance is located on the northern side of the museum on 81st Street near Central Park West. at New York's American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History, incorporated in New York City in 1869 to promote the study of natural science and related subjects. Buildings on its present site were opened in 1877. demoted Pluto from planet to comet, a frozen chunk of gas and dust. "Pluto, being half ice by volume, should assume its rightful status as the King of the Comets," says astronomer Neil Tyson. Pluto is about 2,280 kilometers (1,417 miles) wide--smaller than many planets' moons. * ELECT A NATIONAL TREE Though America is home to a vast variety of tree species--maple, oak, birch, buckeye--none has achieved national symbol status, like the national anthem or bird. To honor the importance of U.S. trees, the National Arbor Day Foundation The National Arbor Day Foundation is the world's oldest and largest tree-planting organization.[1] Its million members plant millions of trees every year. New members receive 10 free trees. wants you to help elect a national tree. Cast your vote and learn more about American tree types by logging onto www.arbor day.org. Online voting takes place until mid-night April 27, 2001. |
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