Cosmos Research Center

Now that scientists have shuffled the designations of the planets, the old "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas" mnemonic for remembering the planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) doesn't work any more. We've demoted Pluto to a minor planet, and added Ceres and Eris.

The National Geographic Children's Books Planetary Mnemonic Contest a contest to come up with a new one, and 10-year-old Maryn Smith of Great Falls, Montana, came up with the winning slogan: "My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants." to Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Eris. The mnemonic is being recorded into a song by Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Lisa Loeb.

"When I got the call, my first response was, 'I won?'" said Maryn. "I can't believe that next year my teacher will be teaching her new class the order of the planets using my mnemonic!"