Proposal would increase planets from 9 to 12... If Pluto's moon would be a planet why wouldn't our moon be a planet???

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PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) -- Our solar system would have 12 planets instead of nine under a proposed "Big Bang" expansion by leading astronomers, changing what billions of schoolchildren are taught about their corner of the cosmos.

Much-maligned Pluto would remain a planet -- and its largest moon plus two other heavenly bodies would join Earth's neighborhood -- under a draft resolution to be formally presented Wednesday to the International Astronomical Union, the arbiter of what is and is not a planet.

Read more:CNN.com - Proposal would increase planets from 9 to 12 - Aug 16, 2006

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Moon wouldn't be considered a planet because the center of mass (the barycenter) of the Earth-Moon system lies within one of the bodies (Earth).

The center of mass of the Pluto/Charon system is outside of both bodies which makes it a double planet system.

For info, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_mass#Barycenter .

Posted by: Greg the Weather Mime | August 17, 2006 7:13 AM

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