8 Planets!

Well, it's now official. The solar system has only eight planets (Eric, it seems that I was mistaken when I informed you that they had decided to go the other way and include all the Pluto-like objects as planets, that motion was rejected). The International Astronomical Union has relegated Pluto to the status of "dwarf planet", along with all others of its kind (Xena, etc.). I really must applaud the astronomers for choosing the most sensible option, even though it feels like going backwards in some respects. It’s interesting that a few years ago we launched a probe to examine the planet Pluto and it will arrive (in 2010 I believe) at the dwarf planet Pluto.