The need to define "planet" surges.

Unless you're from another solar system, you probably know Pluto is under siege. An on going debate on new definitions will determine if Pluto will remain a planet or demoted into something else. Believe it or not, while planets have been around forever, an official definition of what they are does not exist.

If a group of Pluto lovers have it their way, the new and highly controversial definition proposed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will enable  Pluto to keep its current status as well as increase the member of our solar system.

Under the proposed definition Pluto will remain a planet. But it will lose its moon Charon, which would become a planet itself. Both would be called "plutons", to distinguish them from the eight "classical" planets. Ceres, currently an asteroid, would be upgraded to a "dwarf planet".  A Pluto-sized object known as 2003 UB313 would also be called a "pluton" making it 12th planet.

This proposed definition may have its own supporters, it also has its share of critics. Ironically, one of them is Caltech researcher Mike Brown, the man who discovered  2003 UB313. "It's flattering to be considered discoverer of the 12th planet," Brown said but added the overall proposal is "a complete mess" because that will turn at least 53 known bodies in our solar system into planets with more waiting in the wings to be discovered.

IAU members will vote on the proposal August 24.