It's not quite accurate to say there are *only* 8 planets. While the International Astronomical Union (IAU) currently recognizes 8 planets in our solar system, there's a lot more to the story!

Here's a breakdown:

* The 8 Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are the planets currently recognized by the IAU based on their specific characteristics.

* Pluto's Demise: Pluto was reclassified as a "dwarf planet" in 2006 because it didn't meet all the criteria for a full-fledged planet.

* Other Dwarf Planets: Besides Pluto, we have several other dwarf planets in our solar system, including Ceres, Eris, Makemake, and Haumea.

* The Search Continues: Scientists are constantly discovering new objects in our solar system. It's entirely possible that we might find more planets or dwarf planets in the future!

So, the number 8 is a snapshot of our current understanding, but it's not a fixed number. Our solar system is a dynamic place, and we're still learning more about it all the time!