The debate over whether small Pluto, which was found to be only one four-hundredths of the mass of the earth, is a planet has been continuing for decades. (Xinhua Photo)

Photo Gallery >>>BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The debate over whether small Pluto, which was found to be only one four-hundredths of the mass of the earth, is a planet has been continuing for decades.

Astronomers and scientists from around the world will meet in Prague this week to decide whether to exclude Pluto from the category.

In defining for the first time what exactly a planet is, the International Astronomers Union may be forced to downgrade Pluto's status, or add as many as 14 others.

Such a decision would send shockwaves through the scientific community, instantly outdate textbooks, and cause educators to re-teach the basics of our solar system.

"The pivotal question is the status of Pluto, which is clearly very different from Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune," American astronomer Owen Gingerich said.

"It's time we have a definition," said another scientist Alan Stern with the Research Institute of San Antonio. "It's embarrassing to the public that we as astronomers don't have one."Enditem

(Agencies)