Ten planets in the Solar System? Scientists may have discovered two new celestial bodies – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Ten planets in the Solar System? Scientists may have discovered two new celestial bodies




The Solar System may have 10 planets, not 8, according to scientists. Two new planets are likely to exist beyond Neptune and are definitely larger than Earth. Astronomers believe the planets’ existence will soon be confirmed in the same way as Neptune was many years ago.

Pluto was declared not to be a planet in 2006, reducing the number of planets from 9 to 8. If the distant planets are confirmed, schoolchildren will now have learn 10 planets in what will be a major change in how we see our local area of space.

The new planets will also have to be named. There was controversy surrounding the supposed discovery and naming of a tenth planet early in the last decade, claims which proved unfounded. There is still debate about the demotion of Pluto and the status of Ceres, a planetoid in the inner Solar System.

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