Hooray for Pluto

Despite being an underDOG (pun somewhat intended), I am rooting for Pluto to keep its planetary status. Next week, the International Astronomical Union, which oversees astronomical rules and conventions, will vote on a proposed new definition of "planet." This proposed new definition would expand the number of planets from 9 to 12, allowing Pluto to keep its godly planetary status.

Check back here after next week's meeting to find out if you have to learn a new mnemonic to remember the planets. (My mnemonic is "Mary's Violet Eyes Make Jack Stay Up Nights Pining." What's yours?)

Register your vote by posting a comment. I'll report the results. For background on the controversy and proposed definition go to http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/whatsaplanet/ .

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat