New Members in the Solar System

Our solar system will no longer be a consortium of nine planets as claimed by the top astronomers. The 76 year lineup of the solar system is likely to change by a new addition of three more planets namely Ceres, Charon, and 2003 UB313 (nicknamed Xena to be renamed later), thus making the total to twelve.

The decision yet to be approved by the International Astronomical Union on August 24, 2006 will put a stop the planetary debate which blasted off in July last year. The Debate offshoot when a US team of astronomers announced in July 2005 that Pluto was much smaller than an enigmatic object, 2003 UB313.

2003 UB313 is claimed by its discoverers as the 10th planet in the solar system. If the assembly accepts the draft definition the solar system’s planets would be Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Charon and 2003 UB313 (a “real” name to be chosen later).

The 26th general assembly of the International Astronomical Union scheduled in the Czech capital will approve a new planetary definition. It will distinguish planets from other small celestial bodies such as comets and asteroids.

The new solar system family would have 12 members: eight classical planets, three bodies including Pluto in a new and growing category called ‘plutons’ objects and a former asteroid, Ceres.

All this entails a lot of excitement and new areas to explore for the astronomers. For the teachers and pupils it means that the science books will have a new chapter, for toy makers, toys will have to be remade to include the new members. For the hoi polloi, it is business as usual.