New “planet” named

BBC News are carrying the story that the mysterious 10th planet in our Solar System has now been given a name. Named Eris (after the Greek Goddess of Discord) the new planet is also causing some scientists to re-think the way a planet is classified. Eris is only slightly larger than Pluto (estimates vary between 70 and 700 km bigger in diameter) and both have now been dropped into the new classification of “dwarf planet”. It seems that had a new classification not been introduced, then an additional 50 planets would have to be recognised within the Solar System (hence the new planet being associated with discord).

So what does this all mean?? Well to be honest I’m not sure. How many other planets might there be in the Solar System? Potentially hundreds I suppose. I guess it shows that there is always something new to learn (how many of us were told that there were only ever 9 planets?). It’s also good to see that the scientific community can adapt when new information comes to light, on the number of planets at least…