Say hello to Charon, Ceres and Xena.

[i_kender]

How cool is this?! Our solar system just got 3 NEW PLANETS!!

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The sky just got bigger! smaller! complicated! more crowded!

Comments

[apple-crumble.livejournal.com]

I was under the impression this debate had been raging for ages. But you're quite right it is exciting! Now tiddly peeps will not only have to know the names of the all the new planets but also their designations as 'classical planets' and 'plutons'. I wonder what part of the pre-GCSE science curriculem they'll drop in favour of this new nugget of information? (We wouldn't want to challenge their little brains now would we with all these facts at once would we...)

[i_kender]

It has, and I've been following it with interest. But it looks like they've finally reached a consensus (well... maybe)

[apple-crumble.livejournal.com]

Also, isn't Xena only a temporary name? Officially, she's still 2003 UB313 (not that that isn't a sexy name also) and yet to be named.

[i_kender]

Yeah, that's right, it's only temporary. But Xena's a little sexier, no?? Or *gasp* they could hold a lottery! Winner gets to rename the planet, and the funds go towards space exploration. That would be awesome... hmm, Planet Kender. I like the sound of that...

[apple-crumble.livejournal.com]

Regretably, the body which names celestial objects has a policy by which they only name them for old Roman gods. Unless you manage to unearth an old folio containing the mythology of a Roman deity with a penchant for 'borrowing' others items you're out of luck...Although it would be very cool!

[blankbadge.livejournal.com]

Heard about Xena a while back. I think it's just the best thing ever to have a planet named Xena. I truly hope that name sticks.

[i_kender]

Me too. I think it's a great name for a planet. And didn't it have a moon called Gabrielle? If not, it so should!

[blankbadge.livejournal.com]

I remember hearing them hope they were going to find a moon but not whether it did have one. That would be so awesome though.