h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4795755.stm

12 planets instead of the usual 9? The more the merrier, I say!

One things is for certain: the old mnemonics will have to go. Instead of coming up with new mnemonics, why not just rename the lot after 12 easily memorable items in a well-known sequence? After the months of the year, say? We could live on March, then. Ot the 12 Apostles? Planet Bartholemew, anybody? Or the twelve Norse Gods who happened to be dining when Loki got one of them to throw an apple branch at some other geezer?

Answers on a postcard please: tthe winner will be announced during another such quiet week in the silly season.

they were doing the mnemonic thang for this Five Live's Anita Anand show on Thursday night.

Name all the planets after the England 12 man squad that won the Ashes back in 2005? Although that really is a bit sad...

Earth could be re-named Trescothick. Apt I believe.

Keep 'em coming, please!

Ere, Matt: check your email!

I disagree with the decision to not label Earth-Moon as a double planet. There should be 13. Bwa ha haaaa! (crackle of lightning). Name them after the Disciiples.

There's only eight, now, unless you count the one I wrote about all those years ago (almost six): A410941. Pluto has been demoted to dwarf planet status, but there are another 4 of those.

Instead of having a family of planets we now have a zoo.

Looks like knives are drawn already:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5283956.stm

But of course.

I was thinking more about double planets, and found out that the center of Jupiter-Sun is outside of Sun. So, a double star! Maybe even a triple one if your 10th planet is large enough.