I knew about the mnemonic (actually, I think there's more than one), but it's a shame instead of inviting discussion about how science works, how we explore new things about our universe all the time, or even how science changes, the focus has been on "okay kids, memorize a new list". That doesn't help kids at all.

Too true. It's a shame that in our educational system little to no value is placed on the actual process of learning. It's all about what facts they can spout off. Or more importantly, when they learn it and whether or not they can answer the question correctly on a standardized test. But I digress...

On kids shows they haven't included Pluto for a while. Science is so far behind Little Einsteins. On a side note, when we were kids we said, "your-anus." Nowadays it's "Yura-ness." Much less fun, I think.

I think it is safe to say that kids these days still say your anus. And the standard American pronunciation has been your-uh-nus so that hasn't really changed in decades.

In England, however, the historically standard pronunciation has changed in recent decades. However, the historically standard pronuncation there was closer to urine us which still had centuries of school kids in stitches, I'm sure.

After listening to a day of stupidity on the topic (I'll make sure not to watch the Colber Report tonight since I don't need to go through that again, it was barely funny last week) I just wish the IAU would leave it be since they are trying to create a scientific definition for a socially created word.

What does the Starship Enterprise and toilet paper have in common? They both circle uranus and wipe out klingons.

You pretty much have to pronounce it "urine-us", or "your anus", so the choices aren't varied there.

Considering that that particular planet was originally named George, its come a long way, baby.

And don't think of it as losing a planet. Consider it recognizing that our solar system family carries evidence of its violent formation, and that large round bodies like Ceres, Xena, and Charon, are closer to the millions of comet like formations in the Oort cloud than planets anyway. Yes, Pluto is a comet, or pluton, or whatever they're going to name them. It's composition doesn't change because of the name.

At the end of the day, Pluto is still a .... STAR!
 

In reaction to news today that Pluto was demoted to the status of "dwarf planet," the Seven Dwarfs issued their own short statement, read by spokesperson, Snow White:


"Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at."

As Mickey's faithful companion, Pluto made his debut in 1930 – the same year that scientists discovered what they believed was a ninth planet.

Said a white-gloved, yellow-shoed source close to Disney's top dog, "I think the whole thing is Goofy! Pluto has never been interested in astronomy before, other than maybe an occasional howl at the moon."

And just to make it clear, that is an actual press release issued by Disney today.

Sadly, I checked.

Is it sadder that you checked or sadder that people would take Alex for his word (no sarcasam intended).