How many planets?

THE MEANING OF PLANET: What is a planet? For years, astronomers have been debating that question, with the status of tiny Pluto hanging in the balance. Finally, an answer is in the offing. Today, the International Astronomical Union's Planet Definition Committee announced their proposal for a new, official definition of "planet." If the proposal is approved by a vote of IAU astronomers on August 24th, the number of planets in the Solar System would swell from nine to twelve. And, yes, Pluto would be among them.

Here's the full text of the draft decision.

So if it passes the Solar System will have twelve planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Charon (a double planet) and 2003 UB313. Hopefully 2003 UB313 will get a better name pretty quickly.

My first thought was "Oooh solar system hijincks always have gaming potential." Yes I know, gaming ideas are always my first thought. Thats not true, but its hard to think sexy thoughts about new planets though if I think about it...oh yeah.

My second thought was this will turn out to be a good spring board for lots of stuff for the boy. Nothing like discussing orbital mechanics with a six year old. And I'm serious there. The boy is fascinated by astronomy and has been discussing Pluto and Neptune's orbit a bunch lately, this should be very interesting to him.