Astronomers have discovered a tenth planet in our solar system.

A California astronomer has found what could be a new planet, a body of rock and ice which orbits the sun every 560 years.

If confirmed, the discovery would be the first of a planet since Pluto was identified in 1930.

California Institute of Technology astronomer Michael Brown says the new body is the most distant object ever detected orbiting the sun and ranks as the solar system's 10th planet.

The possible new planet is at least the size of Pluto and was discovered orbiting about 14.5 billion kilometres from the sun.

Dr Brown says the object is a typical member of the Kuiper belt - which extends from the orbit of Neptune out through the solar system for about 3,000 million kilometres - but its sheer size in relation to the nine known planets means it can only be classified as a planet.

However, Dr Brown conceded that the discovery would likely rekindle debate over the definition of a 'planet' and whether Pluto should still be regarded as one.

Dr Brown says the new object was detected in January by the Samuel Oschin Telescope at the Palomar Observatory near San Diego.

He says the planet went undiscovered for so long because its orbit is tilted at a 45-degree angle to the orbital plane of the other planets.

Fine. I accept that the thing qualifies as a planet, especially if it is larger than Pluto (the status of which is still disputed by some astronomers).

Word is, though, that the discoverer may want to name the newly discovered planet Xena, after the title character of Xena: Warrior Princess. Dare I say that such a name is a bit undignified? I would suggest several possibilities from Greco-Roman mythology that are more fitting and also in keeping with the current naming protocol for planets -- Apollo, Vulcan/Hephaestus, Minerva/Athena are all excellent choices. One would honor the manned space program, another would still have the pop-culture connection, and the third would honor the goddess of the Parthenon, one of humanity's greatest achievements.

But I suppose the discoverer is probably entitled to naming privileges. I guess I could get used to "Planet Xena".

Posted by: Greg at 06:43 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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