My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza
Do you remember learning about the planets in our solar system and the acronym "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza"? The phrase was a helpful way to remember the order of the planets from the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. However, in 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a "dwarf planet," leaving us with only eight.
The Original Acronym
The acronym "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza" was created in the 1950s by an unknown author. It was a popular way to remember the order of the planets, and many children learned it in school. The phrase was easy to remember and fun to say, making it a popular mnemonic device.
Pluto's Reclassification
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a "dwarf planet." This decision was based on new criteria for what constitutes a planet. According to the IAU, a planet must meet three criteria: it must orbit the sun, it must be round or nearly round, and it must have cleared its orbit of other debris. Pluto meets the first two criteria, but not the third, as it shares its orbit with other objects in the Kuiper Belt.
The Kuiper Belt
The Kuiper Belt is a region of the solar system beyond Neptune's orbit that is home to many icy objects, including dwarf planets like Pluto. The discovery of other objects in the Kuiper Belt played a role in the decision to reclassify Pluto, as it became clear that Pluto was not unique in its characteristics.
Other Mnemonic Devices
While "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza" was a popular way to remember the order of the planets, there are many other mnemonic devices that can be used for this purpose. For example, "Many Vampires Eat Marshmallows Just So U Never Protest" is another acronym that can be used to remember the planets in order.
Conclusion
Although Pluto is no longer considered a planet, "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza" remains a popular way to remember the order of the planets. This acronym is a fun and easy way to learn about our solar system and the objects that inhabit it.