Scientists: New 'planet' bigger than Pluto.

[edbermac]

CNN) -- German astrophysicists have concluded a space body located in the outer reaches of the solar system is 435 miles (700 kilometers) larger than Pluto, the smallest planet.

Their research puts more pressure on the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to classify the object as the 10th planet in our solar system.

"UB313 is decidedly larger than Pluto," said University of Bonn Professor Frank Bertoldi, whose team's findings will be published in Thursday's journal Nature.

The object, tentatively named 2003 UB313, is an icy body that lies beyond the planet Neptune.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/02/01/tenth.planet/index.html

Is it as big as Uranus? :rofl:

[patricia92243]

1. I saw on tv where they might de-classify Pluto as a planet. n/t

[ZombieNixon]

2. It's been nicknamed "Xena."

:eyes:

The debate on what counts as a "planet" is a hot one, though...

[Ravenseye]

3. I wonder what it's real name will be?

It better be officially named after a Roman God like the rest.

Here's what's taken --

Mercury Messenger of the gods
Venus Goddess of love
Mars God of war (originally agriculture)
Jupiter King of the gods
Saturn God of agriculture
Uranus God of the heavens
Neptune God of the sea
Pluto King of the underworld

Here's what's left --

Apollo God of the sun
Bacchus God of wine
Ceres Goddess of the earth
Cupid God of love
Diana Goddess of the moon and hunting
Fortuna Goddess of luck
Janus God of doors
Juno Queen of the gods
Maia Goddess of growth
Minerva Goddess of wisdom
Proserpine Queen of the underworld
Quirinus God of defense & the state
Vesta Goddess of hearth
Vulcan God of smithing

I vote for either Janus (furthest planet out...door to the galaxy type deal), or Proserpine (pluto is the king of the underworld, so why not match it with a queen)

[ZombieNixon]

4. I'm down with Bacchus.

When it's eventually terraformed we can have massive drunken beach ragers there! :bounce: :D

[democracyindanger]

5. It also has a small satellite object.

Guess what it's called.