That's the question currently argued at the International Astronomical Union (IAU) gathering at Prague, CZ. Infact for years astronomers have debated on the status of tiny Pluto.
The question gained significance by the recent discovery of a new object beyond Pluto, which is bigger than Pluto (object: 2003 UB 313)
This created a lot of fuss among astronomers as to whether this new object needs to be included in the classical list of planets, if its not then Pluto needs to be removed from the list!
Now astronomers have developed a new description for what a planet means:
The description summary is:
"A planet is a celestial body that (a) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (b) is in orbit around a star, and is neither a star nor a satellite of a planet."
This could mean even some of the larger asteroids could find a place in the planet category.
Some points from the description draft prepared by the IAU:
- Pluto - Charon is a "double planet"
- If asteroids like Pallas, Vesta are found to be in hydrostatic equilibrium (round shape), they are also planets, referred by a new class - "dwarf planets"
- Pluto may be part of a new class of planets called "Plutons"
On Aug 24th astronomers will vote on the proposal, if they pass it, then Pluto will retain its position, also we will have more additions to planets in the solar system, including the moon of Pluto - Charon.
One thing is certain, whatever happens, all the current textbooks and books on science and planets would be outdated soon.
Links:
IAU Official press release
Discovery 0f object 2003 UB313
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