Xena and Gabrielle Spark Debate

No, not that Xena and Gabrielle

Guess again.













This Xena and Gabrielle.


And these two will be helping us gain a greater understanding of our universe.

Astronomers at the WM Keck Observatory have identified a moon orbiting Xena, a body they argue is the 10th planet in our solar system. They have called the moon Gabrielle, after Xena's sidekick in the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess.

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The astronomical community has also yet to settle the question of whether Xena is a planet, and indeed, whether or not Pluto should be given that status. Many astronomers feel that Pluto ought more properly to be classed as a minor planet, or even just as a large Kuiper belt object.

Xena's discovery has prompted the International Astronomical Union to reconsider its definition of a planet. Currently it considers both Pluto and Xena to be trans-Neptunian objects, and says that until it has drawn up its new definition, that is what they will remain.

So, we now have 10 planets in the solar system, or nine, or eight. That is going to make grading test in astronomy classes interesting.