Astronomers discover tenth planet in Solar System!
The family of our star, Sol (aka "the Sun") has a new member.
Well, a new member to us, anyway.
Scientists have announced the discovery of a new planet nine billion miles from the Sun, or about three times the distance of Pluto, hitherto the furthest known planet in our solar system.
Of course, there is an ongoing debate over whether Pluto is really a planet, or just a Kuiper Belt object- essentially a big comet with an unusually regular orbit, itself orbited by another big comet (its moon, Charon). Both worlds are thought to be composed mostly of mostly of ice (the data obtained from Comet Tempel-1 by the Deep Impact probe may yet force a re-evaluation of that theory, however).
Michael Brown of Cal Tech has submitted a proposed name to the International Astronomical Union, but the name as neither been accepted or even released as yet.
My personal suggestion is either 'Mickey' or 'Goofy.'
Well, a new member to us, anyway.
Scientists have announced the discovery of a new planet nine billion miles from the Sun, or about three times the distance of Pluto, hitherto the furthest known planet in our solar system.
Of course, there is an ongoing debate over whether Pluto is really a planet, or just a Kuiper Belt object- essentially a big comet with an unusually regular orbit, itself orbited by another big comet (its moon, Charon). Both worlds are thought to be composed mostly of mostly of ice (the data obtained from Comet Tempel-1 by the Deep Impact probe may yet force a re-evaluation of that theory, however).
Michael Brown of Cal Tech has submitted a proposed name to the International Astronomical Union, but the name as neither been accepted or even released as yet.
My personal suggestion is either 'Mickey' or 'Goofy.'
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