How do we remember the names and order of the 12 planets?

Question

To remember the 9 planets I used to recite "My very efficient mind just store up nine planets". But with the all new list of planets (see my other questions) there is a pressing question to answer, How do we remember the names and order of the 12 planets?

The names and order of the planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres (formerly an asteroid), Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto & Charon(can be in any order as they are twin planets) and Xena (also known as 2003 UB313).

Good luck.

There is also the "classical planets" (the originals without Pluto), which might need remembering on their own. I will also consider any ways to remeber these for best answer.

I do not really want a way to remember the current list, just the one we may be using soon.

Answer 1

My Very Efficient Mind Can Just Store Up Nine, Plus Cute Xena.

added comment:
(thanks James M)

Answer 2

There aren't any new planets yet. The current controversy is over whether or not Pluto should be demoted to the status of a Kuiper Belt Object (which is probably what it started out as before it was captured by the Sun). On proposed name for these KBOs is "plutons," but the scientific community still hasn't decided yet.

Charon is not, nor has it ever been, called a planet, btw. It is Pluto's satellite, and is most likely a KBO that Pluto captured after Pluto entered a solar orbit.

Answer 3

Answer by Sheila is the best:

My Very Efficient Mind Can Just Store Up Nine, Plus Cute Xena.

But please don't forget that Xena is not the official name of the 12th planet and also bear in mind that the IAU decision on what a planet is will not be made until 24th August 2006.

Answer 4

True brit,

I just rely on my memory really. Reading about each of them has helped my mind remember them all these years.

Now something about Ceres (considered a planet in the 1800s),Charon, and 2003 UB313 (Xena), I know their status as planets, proposed just three days ago, has not been accepted yet, so don't rush in bring those other 3 planets into your mnemonics!

Peace.

Answer 5

Ceres is not a planet, its a lump of rock that just happens to be a bit bigger than most others. (its only 500 miles across isn't it?)

The proof of the pudding comes by the fact that this asteroid ceres is located in the asteroid belt! in between mars and jupiter!

Answer 6

my very excellent mother christina just send us nine cheesy pizza X
mercury, venus, earth, mars, ceres, jupiter, saturn, =uranus, neptune, charon, pluto, xena

if xena gets the name persephone, it would end with pepperroni pizza

Answer 7

'Many Various Excellent Men Could Justly Strive Unless Nervous Charlie's Pinky's X-rayed.'

Sounds a bit like a medical drama rather than anything astrological, but that's my attempt.

Another solution could be to just learn the order of the letters like a cheer leading chant: M!-V! E!-P!-S!/ U!-N!/ C!-P!-X!

If you read them off with gusto, pausing after the S and the N, it works pretty well ;)

Answer 8

I always tell my students to use any mnemonic they can remember easily.... It makes it easier to remember that way - especially if you make it up yourself.

If I had to pick one, it would probably be:

My Very Early Morning Created Much Jubilation Surrounding Under-Performing Xylophones.

No, wait, I take that back. I woke up too early this morning. :O)

I like the "Cute Xena" one better, but I still recommend making up your own. :O)

JM

Answer 9

Mary Verling Eats Marmalade Jam Sitting Under Nelson's Pillar.
At least that was the way we were taught in Ireland.

Answer 10

My Very Easy Method Just Speed Up Naming Planets - the first letter of each word in this saying represents a planet i.e My = Mars