For many years rumours of a tenth planet in our solar system have been the stuff of tabloids and science-fiction writers. In 2003 a new planetoid was discovered beyond the orbit of Pluto. Officially named 2003 UB313 this small chunk of rock and ice is about 30% more massive than Pluto.
Now that it has been discovered, the real controversy begins. There is great debate around whether UB313 should be classified as a planet. Since it’s even larger than Pluto, some have even called into question Pluto’s status as a planet. One suggestion is that anything orbiting further out than Neptune and against the regular plane of the solar system be classified a Kuiper Belt Planet.
The final decision on whether or not to classify UB313 as a planet rests with the International Astronomical Union and is expected to be made in September 2006.