TWELVE PLANETS???, wow. Options

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

The number of planets around the Sun could rise from nine to 12 - with more on the way - if experts approve a radical new vision of our Solar System.

An endorsement by astronomers meeting in Prague would require school and university textbooks to be rewritten.

The proposal recognises eight classical planets, three planets belonging to a new category called "plutons" and the largest asteroid Ceres.

Pluto remains a planet, but becomes the basis for the new pluton category.


The plan has been drawn up by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) with the aim of settling the question of what does and does not count as a planet.

Some 2,500 astronomers gathered at the IAU General Assembly in Prague will vote on the plan next Thursday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4795755.stm


So what do you guys think?

I, for one, think it's crazy. How are we going to memorize them?
"Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Charon, UB313??"
It doesn't sound right anymore!! And I've never even heard of Ceres before.. It's just gonna be really confusing with the planets and plutons.. And as the article said, it's not going to be that useful to astronomers.

[goodcharlotte]

Who would name a planet UB313?
I think that as science advances the general definitions for things such as plants start to loose its meaning and become more vague. I guess we are just going to have to deal with more planets.

[*mipadi*]

Who would name a planet UB313?
I think that as science advances the general definitions for things such as plants start to loose its meaning and become more vague. I guess we are just going to have to deal with more planets.

On the contrary, the definition of a planet is becoming more exact, which results in more celestial bodies being defined as planets.

A council of astronomers are set to release the exact definition of a planet in September. Pluto might get knocked off the list—as it should, because it hardly has the traditional properties of a planet.

[goodcharlotte]

On the contrary, the definition of a planet is becoming more exact, which results in more celestial bodies being defined as planets.

A council of astronomers are set to release the exact definition of a planet in September. Pluto might get knocked off the list—as it should, because it hardly has the traditional properties of a planet.

I see. That is a good thing.