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Pluto gets a new name: plutoid
Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 6:53PM UTC
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - 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 said in a statement that its
executive committee meeting in Oslo, Norway, decided on the term.
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 organization, 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.
(Reporting by Maggie Fox)
Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society
