Scientists' Proposal Would Modify Pluto's Planet Status, Add 3 New Ones

Aug 18 2006, 6:00am CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Some 2,500 scientists from around the world are currently in Prague, Czech Republic to discuss and define for all time exactly what constitutes a planet, at least until there's another global gathering to discuss this same issue, which has been debated for almost a century. The International Astronomers Union, as they're called, want to set for sure exactly how small a celestial body can be to still be considered a planet.

Update:
Decision: Pluto is not a Planet

A special committee has put forward a definition for a planet that would keep Pluto's status somewhat intact, but would also give the same status to three other celestial bodies. The proposal is to have a subcategory of planets known as Plutons, to which Pluto would fit, along with Xena (pictured), Charon, and Ceres, three similarly sized "planets". Of course, who knows when we'll next need to define planets, plutons, and whatever other words these astronomers come up with in the next several decades? The head of the committee, Owen Gingerich, says, Undoubtedly some future IAU committee will have to revisit this question and define the upper limit for "planet", probably well before 2106."

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Report Published by: Mark Raby

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.