The International Astronomical Union has released GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!
Sorry… where was I?
The IAU has released draft guidelines that will clarify the vexed question of whether Pluto is a planet.
If these guidelines are taken up, Pluto will officially be counted as a planet. And so will Ceres (the largest asteroid), Charon (Pluto’s largest moon), and Xena (the rock, larger and further out than Pluto, that started this kerfuffle when it was discovered in 2003). So as of next Thursday (the 24th), our solar system may have twelve planets.
Apologies to everyone born since 1930, who’s been labouring under the impression that our solar system has nine planets. The IAU regrets the error.
(Also, we need new mnemonics. “My Very GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!
Sorry again.
“My Very Elegant Mother Just Served Us Nine Pies” might be out of date next week.)
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