Are there Nine Planets in the Solar System? Justify!

No, there are eight recognized planets in the Solar System as of now.

The Solar System consists of eight planets, following the reclassification of Pluto in 2006:

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars: These are the four inner, terrestrial planets.
• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune: These are the four outer, gas giant planets.

The key reasons for this count are:

• Pluto’s Reclassification: In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the criteria for planethood. Pluto did not meet one crucial criterion – “clearing its orbit” of other debris. Hence, it was reclassified as a “dwarf planet.”
• Dwarf Planets: Besides Pluto, there are other dwarf planets like Eris, Haumea, and Makemake, which are not counted as main planets.
• Scientific Consensus: The current scientific consensus agrees on eight planets, with Pluto and other similar celestial bodies classified separately to maintain clarity and consistency in the definition of a planet.

This reclassification reflects our evolving understanding of the Solar System and the need for precise scientific definitions.