Most of the students in elementary school make up the nine planets of our solar system. However, those old letters may need a makeover, and maybe soon. A giant ball more distant than Pluto, but which appears to meet the standard definition of a species, challenges conventional wisdom about the true number of planets in our solar system.
Now assigned the infamous name UB313 in 2003, this tenth possible planet also bears the name Xena, like the long-syndicated show about the warrior queen. First discovered in 2003, UB313 joins several other possible planetary bodies now being considered in revealing how many planets actually exist in the same solar system where Earth orbits.
However, whether UB313 or Xena will ever be represented as a planet, yet only the tenth recognized in our solar world, remains to be seen. This is doubtful for several reasons. One of the outcomes of these other newly discovered potential planets is listed.
Another matter is that there is a real controversy about whether even some of our planets really deserve this classification. While the planets are rocky like Earth, others are simply large, cold, gaseous balls of Pluto. Astronomers and scientists are asking whether the definition of planets from Earth belongs in the same category as Pluto’s others.
After all, we know that Earth supports life since so many of us are here. Mars also seems to show some early promise that, at least at one time, it might offer common elements like water that would allow the formation of life.
The potential for life forms does not determine whether a large group becomes a planet or not. But there are three classical states that must be met before reaching the planetary state. These are:
1. Gravity is sufficient to retain its round configuration.
2. It is not so big that they can potentially become a star that can lead life far different from the planet.
3. Orbium Sol
At first blush, the UB313 fits all. This seems especially true in light of how the other nine planets in our solar world have obtained their position. Is UB313 or Xena bigger? at least 30%- than Pluto, as It is even as bright as Pluto, and has its own moon, which is typically associated with planets, as well as another type of structure, such as a star.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the authority on such matters and has not yet decided if UB2003 is a Pluto-like planet. If the IAU rules that this new discovery should receive planet status, they will award a formal name to Xena, which is unlikely. This governing astronomical organization has a very specific nomenclature for the names of the planets, which does not likely include cultural or pop titles.
For the latter, perhaps we should be thankful. Otherwise, we may soon see planet Brangelina or planet Paris.
In the meantime, however, it remains to be seen whether all those astronomical charts and models, handouts, and even astrological predictions will have to be blown up to include either the killing of new planets or the reclassification of beings. A decision is not expected soon.
