Solar System with 12 Planets

IAU’s executive committee submitted (which only submits recommendations likely to get two thirds approval from the group of 2500 astronomers from 75 nations meeting in Prague to decide a universal definition of a planet) a draft proposal to expand the Solar System to 12 planets. They will have two brain storming sessions before they vote on the resolution next week (August 21-25, 2006).

The change will force the schools across the world to change their text books and the elementary school solar system models. More interestingly astrologers need to tweak their formulas to make predictions as their model of classic nine planets is not valid anymore! :-)

The proposed new definition of a planet is as follows

- Any round object larger than 500 miles (800 Km) in diameter
- It must orbit the sun
- A mass roughly one-12,000th that of Earth.

Pluto and its moon Charon will be first double planet while Ceres is only 592 miles (952 Km) in diameter compared to 2003 UB313 which is 1490 miles (2400 km) in diameter.

Following will be the 12 planets if the resolution is approved (diameter in brackets)

1. Mercury (3031 miles)
2. Venus (7520 m)
3. Earth (7926 m)
4. Mars (4194 m)
5. Ceres (592 m)
6. Jupiter (88,736 m)
7. Saturn (74,978 m)
8. Uranus (32,193 m)
9. Neptune (30,775 m)
10. Pluto (1430 m)
11. Charon (750 m)
12. 2003 UB313 or Xena (1490 m)

Images

In this artist's impression the planets are drawn to scale, but without correct relative distances.
Credit: The International Astronomical Union/Martin Kornmesser

Resources

1. IAU.org – Draft Definition of planet and plutons
2. BBC – Planets plan boosts tally to 12
3. BBC – Proposed new planets (video)
4. New York Times – For now, Pluto holds its place in our Solar System
4. CNN – Proposal would increase planets from 9 to 12
5. Scientific American – New Planet Definitions Enlarges Solar System
6. Telegraph UK - Never mind the dwarfs, just be happy for pluto