Triumph of Strife

Pluto, formerly the ninth planet of our solar system, was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.

It's been five years since the International Astronomical Union established the current planetary definition. These rules knocked Pluto from its planetary status and into the new category of dwarf planet. This was an extended debate that actually began in 1801 when Ceres was discovered and became the first asteroid. However, it was the discovery of the Eris, named after the Greek goddess of Strife, that set off the finalization of the great planet debate.

The end result was the controversial demotion of Pluto. So now the Solar System has eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) and five dwarf planets (Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris).



Artist's concept of the Pluto System (Credit: NASA, ESA and G. Bacon)


Of course, astronomers are still scanning the heavens. These numbers and definitions are best considered works in progress. ;-)

Enjoy!!!