Moon May Soon Be Counted As a Planet, Along With 100 Others

Moon might be among at least 100 other new planets to be added to our solar system.

NASA revealed that moon might be among at least the 100 other new planets to be added to our solar system. (Photo: AP)

NASA revealed that moon might be among at least the 100 other new planets to be added to our solar system.

Alan Stern, the principal investigator for Nasa’s New Horizons mission to Pluto, has co-written a manifesto with his colleagues at NASA which redefines the characteristics of a planet, reports The Independent.

The manifesto reads:

In the mind of the public, the word ‘planet’ carries a significance lacking in other words used to describe planetary bodies… many members of the public assume that alleged ‘non-planets’ cease to be interesting enough to warrant scientific exploration.

Saturn and Jupiter’s satellites, Titan and Ganymede, along with the moon, are believed to have all features of a planet.

This news comes in wake of the discovery of at least 100 new planets including one which is believed to be capable of supporting life. It is being called a “super-earth” or Gilese 411b, and is located in the fourth-closest star system to our sun.

Of the total 114 planets that have been found, more than half are situated in our immediate solar neighbourhood, states the media report.