The Pluto (and therefore Sedna) debate continues

The debate rages onward. What I found particularly enjoyable was S. Alan Stern's rant in a recent Space Daily article where it is clear that emotionally, he really wants Pluto to be called a planet. This may have something to do with the fact that he is the leader of NASA's Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission. Would Pluto not be an equally interesting object of scientific study whether or not we label it "planet"? And what would an astronomical discovery be without an animated fly-by of the new discovery starting from Earth?

And then there were eight

A working group of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has declared that size does indeed matter. Sadly, Sedna is merely a trans-Neptunian body and not a planet. Now the planet cops have turned their attention to poor old Pluto. Will Pluto get its planet license revoked after over 100 years?

The spiritual benefits of a new planet

The staff astrologer of the illustrious UK paper The Sun has revealed some surprising positive influences emanating from the newly discovered planet!