The planet is a typical member of the Kuiper belt, but its sheer size in relation to the nine known planets means that it can only be classified as a planet, [planetary scientist Dr. Mike] Brown said. Currently about 97 times further from the sun than the Earth, the planet is the farthest-known object in the solar system, and the third brightest of the Kuiper belt objects.
A New Scientist report describes the Kuiper belt as "... the group of icy bodies including Pluto which orbit beyond Neptune."
The survey has also detected two more objects only slightly smaller than Pluto, though there's no indication these will be classified as planets.
The discovery is sure to heat up the debate over how to define a planet. Some astronomers claim Pluto is just an overgrown Kuiper-belt object, but Brown thinks it should remain a planet.
As I suspect Clyde Tombaugh would, if he were still alive.
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