In the first open discussion of the redefinition of the meaning of planet (held today in Prague), the proposal set forth by the Executive Committee of IAU was voted down by planetary scientists by a vote of 60 to 40! According to a report that I read, “most of the speakers during the discussion favored a competing proposal, which inserts the criterion that a planet must be ‘by far the largest body in its population of bodies.” The defintion favored would demote pluto to a satellite of Neptune, along with Charon. Instead of a 12 planet Solar System, we would end up with what many people now agree is an eight planet system.

We now have to wait until August 24th when the Executive Committee meets to make its final decision. What do you think that decision will be?

Image: Discussion at today’s IAU meeting in Prague (image from IAU site)