Today's big news (so far) is that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has voted to define planet in such a way that Pluto is demoted from plain old planet, or Classical Planet, to Dwarf Planet, or Minor Planet.
I haven't been able to get to the IAU's website this morning (I guess it's overwhelmed) and the major news sites don't seem to think it is important to publish the actual definition, so I don't know if all of those terms are actually in there or if some of them are just the preferred terms of some of the astronomers at the meeting.
But what really concerns me is what the new mnemonic will be to help our children remember the names and order of the planets.
For some time now the English mnemonic has been some variation of "My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas." Without Pluto (Pizzas), what will we use? What did they use before Pluto was found?
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My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Noodles.
My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nuts.
Many Very Eloquent Martians Joined Saturn's Universal Neighborhood.
Googling for "planet mnemonic" reveals that the blogosphere is behind on their mnemonic updates. They're still working on a mnemonic that includes several new planets rather than dealing with the loss of Pluto.
Scott Adams (writer of Dilber) also discusses Pluto, but not mnemonically.
Stephen Colbert has saved us!
My Very Educated Mother Just Said, "Uh-oh! No Pluto!"
My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us .. Nothing.
my very energetic mother just served us nachos
I love Pluto.
PLUTO ROX!!!!!!!!!!
I'm anonymous. good.
My Very Energetic Mother Just Said Uh-oh, no-more Pluto!
My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Popcorn
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