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Space Topics: Pluto and CharonPlanet PollHow many planets are in our solar system? Take our Survey!* Not since the discovery of Pluto in 1930 has the solar system received such a jolt. On August 24, 2006, the members of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted on proposals to define the term "planet." Depending on the results of the vote, the solar system could have anywhere between 8 and 12 planets, and the number of planets could be either fixed or completely open to new discoveries. The IAU membership was presented with three options: 1) Accept the recommendation of a "Planet Definition" committee, which defined a planet as body that is large enough to be round and orbits a star, but is neither a moon nor a star itself. Accordingly there are currently at least 12 planets in the solar system and dozens of other "planetary candidates" that will be considered in the years to come. 2) Accept a rival proposal that will strip Pluto of its Planetary designation, leaving the solar system with only the 8 large planets. 3) Reject both proposals and leave the term planet as loosely defined as it was before. For most people the solar system would still have 9 planets -- or perhaps 10, if you count 2003 UB313. The Planetary Society wants to hear from you! Take our survey and answer the question: How many planets does the solar system truly have?* *)If you're having trouble accessing the survey, hold your cursor over "Take our survey" and click. If you have tried repeatedly and the survey window does not open, turn off the pop-up blocker on your browser and try again.
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