Partner Article

Astronomers placate Pluto

Pluto, demoted from planet status in 2006, got a consolation prize on Wednesday - it and other dwarf planets like it will be called plutoids. The International Astronomical Union decided on the term at its executive committee meeting in Oslo, Norway.

Plutoids will be defined as celestial bodies in orbit around the Sun farther away than Neptune. They must have near-spherical shape, and must not have swept up other, smaller objects in their orbits, said the organisation, which names newly discovered planets and other celestial bodies.

The two known and named plutoids are Pluto and Eris, but astronomers expect to find more. Another dwarf planet, Ceres, does not merit the plutoid designation because it is in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .