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Planetary Radio

Brian Marsden Says Eight (Planets) is Enough

Airdate: Monday, September 25, 2006
Running Time: 00:28:52
Listen: Windows Media | MP3

Brian Marsden has just retired as Director of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU's) Minor Planet Center, where discoveries about comets, asteroids, and other bodies are reported and catalogued. He firmly believes the IAU has done right by astronomers and the solar system with its new definition of planets and the demotion of Pluto. Emily Lakdawalla explains how Venus hangs onto those thick clouds on Q&A, and Bruce Betts talks food and the night sky in this week's What's Up! Space news headlines and another space trivia contest, too.

Our interview with Brian Marsden was too long for one show, so we've posted an extended version of our conversation here. Download the MP3.

Guests

• Brian Marsden, Retired Director of the IAU's Minor Planet Center

Related Information

• Brian Marsden and the Planetary Society Shoemaker NEO Grant Program
• IAU Minor Planet Center
• International Astronomical Union
• Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory