In der Tat, das hatte ich völlig vergessen. Es wäre wunderbar und eine adäquate Ehrung für Adams’ Werk gewesen, hätte man diesen neuen Planeten tatsächlich „Rupert“ genannt.

Da gibt es verschiedene Ansichten. Spitzer Space Telescope schreibt

NASA-funded researchers have discovered the most distant object orbiting Earth’s Sun. The object is a mysterious planet-like body three times farther from Earth than Pluto.

Die BBC schreibt

The new discovery will reignite the debate about what constitutes a planet.

One group of astronomers believe that Pluto is not a true planet but merely one of the largest of a vast number of minor objects in the outer Solar System.

The alternative standpoint is that Pluto is a planet and those who believe that will have to classify Sedna as the 10th planet.

The name Sedna has been provided by its discoverers.

However, if its planetary status is confirmed, it may be that astronomy’s governing body, the International Astronomical Union, will want to reconsider this, to make it more consistent with the mythological names of other planets.

Und Space Today Online schreibt

Now, astronomers are trying to decide if Sedna could be Planet X – the previously undiscovered tenth planet.

Scheint, dass Sedna durchaus als Planet klassifiziert werden kann.