Professor Views Astronomical Proceedings with Amusement
From Aug. 15 to 25, a constellation of about 2,500 astronomers has gathered in Prague, Czech Republic, for the tri-annual assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The astronomers will vote at the conference on the definition for planet on Aug. 24.
The result of the vote could increase the number of planets in the solar system to 12 (or more) from 9. Or it could reduce the number to 8, which would effectively demote Pluto from planet status.
Mike Sitko, professor of physics at the University of Cincinnati, says that planetary classifications have been problematic for decades.
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