Plan boosts solar system to 12 planets
Astronomers propose keeping Pluto in the club — and adding three more
The tally of planets in our solar system would jump instantly to a dozen under a highly controversial new definition proposed by the International Astronomical Union.
Eventually, there would be hundreds of planets, as more round objects are found beyond Neptune.
The proposal, which sources tell Space.com is gaining broad support, tries to plug a big gap in astronomy textbooks, which have never had a formal definition for the word "planet." It addresses discoveries of Pluto-sized worlds that have in recent years pitched astronomers into heated debates over terminology.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14364833/
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