How Many Planets?

Friday, August 25, 2006

Last week the International Astronomical Union (IAU) decided to strip little Pluto of its status as a planet. There will now only be eight "official" planets orbiting our sun. Pluto will be classed as one of a number of "dwarf planets". Textbooks will have to be rewritten and much fiction will become flawed.

The decision - which I personally oppose - has caused much outcry including claims that the crucial vote was "hijacked". Others have described the decision as "embarrassing" and "sloppy science".

If this decision stands then the solar system will have eight planets plus "dwarf planets" Pluto, Ceres and 2003 UB13. The number of dwarf planets is expected to rise as more small bodies are discovered.

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Pluto astronomy