This blog has frequently lamented the demotion of Pluto. After being expelled from the company of planets, it now resides in the newly-named Plutoids, in the company of Eris, Sedna and other dwarf planets. Another one-time planet suffered a worse, and lonelier, fate one hundred years ago.
The planet Vulcan came into (theoretical) being as a solution to the problem of Mercury‘s orbit, which deviated from the track that Newton’s laws laid down for it. Continue reading
Astronomers discover the largest known solar system, consisting of a large planet that takes a million years to orbit its star.
Source: Astronomers discover largest solar system – BBC News
Planet would orbit the sun once every 15,000 years
Source: Astronomers say a Neptune-sized planet lurks beyond Pluto | Science | AAAS
Scientists think they’ve solved the mystery of what causes those weird bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres — and you may have a jar of it in your bathroom at home.
Source: Ceres’s mysterious bright spots identified as common bath additive – Technology & Science – CBC News
Witnessing an aurora first-hand is a truly awe-inspiring experience no matter what planet you may be on.
New observations of Pluto’s moons reveal a system in pandemonium, according to scientists with the New Horizons mission.
Source: Pandemonium! Motion of Pluto’s Moons Perplexes Scientists
We Are Star Stuff 