This paper gives an overview of the Pluto debate in solar system. It explains the new definition of planet and how it affects students in the elementary schools.
The paper also seeks the active participation of stakeholders in educating people on new discoveries in space explorations.
Introduction
The composition of planets in the solar system has been a point of debate among astronomers, planetary scientist, astrophysicist etc on the status of some planets. It is known that the planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, meteorites, etc are part of the solar system; traditionally the nine (9) recognized planets that make up the solar system as hitherto taught to children in primary schools range from a very tiny rocky planet to huge giants featuring fascinating ring system. Up till now the easy way to remember the order of the nine planets are mnemonics, “My Very Excellent Mother Just Send Us Nine Plantains and My Very Easy Method Just Simplifies Us Naming Planets. (Okoye, 2006) or My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.