A new planet in our solar system?

[Symmetry]

Dwarf planet discovery hints at a hidden Super Earth in solar system

Astronomers have increased the size of the observable solar system after spotting a 450-km wide object orbiting the sun.

The lump of ice and rock circles the sun at a greater distance than any known object, and never gets closer than 12bn kilometres – 80 times the distance from Earth to the sun.

If its size is confirmed it could qualify as a dwarf planet in the same category as Pluto. Researchers said the discovery proves the existence of the inner Oort cloud, a region of icy bodies that lies far beyond the orbit of Neptune – which at 4.5bn kilometres from the sun is the most remote planet in the solar system.

Until a proper name is decided upon, the body is known only as 2012 VP113. According to the science journal Nature, the team that discovered it call it VP for short, or "Biden", after US vice president Joe Biden.

[Symmetry]

I will admit to being a little torn over whether or not the (potential) new planet should be named after Joe Biden. It would be kind of awesome if astrologers had to talk about Biden in their forecasts.

[jonesthecurl]

Fascinating. Thanks for this one. I particularly find the "unseen big planet" evidence intruiging.

[thegreekdog]

Oort cloud may be one of the best astronomical terms.

[muy_thaiguy]

Isn't Pluto supposed to have a moon of similar size to it? So close that it's hard to tell which one is actually the planet?

That said, they're just calling a giant hunk of ice a planet?

[AndyDufresne]

This is a sign that the end of times is near.


--Andy

[jonesthecurl]

Our subscription to the New York Times ran out, and we didn't renew it. Prepare!

[Phatscotty]

Niburu, duh

[denominator]

Isn't Pluto supposed to have a moon of similar size to it? So close that it's hard to tell which one is actually the planet?

That said, they're just calling a giant hunk of ice a planet?

True, True, False.

[jonesthecurl]

I think the "planet" is the one they're speculating about that influences the others. The hunk of ice is a "dwarf planet like Pluto".

Incidentally, Pluto's moon, Charon,is named both after the boatman on the Styx and the astronomer's girlfriend Sharon. "Lots of guys promise you the moon," she said "My man gave me a moon". (not the exact quote btw, I guess you could look it up)

[Symmetry]

Isn't Pluto supposed to have a moon of similar size to it? So close that it's hard to tell which one is actually the planet?

That said, they're just calling a giant hunk of ice a planet?

Well, some planets are gas giants, as far as I know.

[Symmetry]

I think the "planet" is the one they're speculating about that influences the others. The hunk of ice is a "dwarf planet like Pluto".

Incidentally, Pluto's moon, Charon,is named both after the boatman on the Styx and the astronomer's girlfriend Sharon. "Lots of guys promise you the moon," she said "My man gave me a moon". (not the exact quote btw, I guess you could look it up)

"Wife", and "Charlene", says wiki. I've always pronounced it "Shaa-ron" though.

[jonesthecurl]

I don't have a reference for this, I saw it on TV years ago.

[Symmetry]

I don't have a reference for this, I saw it on TV years ago.

It was definitely worth me looking it up in any case. I like odd facts like that, thanks.

[denominator]

I think the "planet" is the one they're speculating about that influences the others. The hunk of ice is a "dwarf planet like Pluto".

Incidentally, Pluto's moon, Charon,is named both after the boatman on the Styx and the astronomer's girlfriend Sharon. "Lots of guys promise you the moon," she said "My man gave me a moon". (not the exact quote btw, I guess you could look it up)

"Wife", and "Charlene", says wiki. I've always pronounced it "Shaa-ron" though.

Charon fits in with the theme of Greek/Roman gods as names for the planets and moons.

The Greek god of the underworld was Hades. However, before it was Hades it was Plouton - which was confused with Plutus and thus changed. The Latinized name of Plouton is Pluto, which is where we get the name of the planet.

Charon, in Greek mythology, is the ferryman of the dead to the underworld. In short, a sidekick of Pluto.

Charon is normally pronounced "kaaron". However, like you said, Christy changed the pronunciation to "shaaron" to pay tribute to his wife.