Category: Everyday Science | Last updated: 2026-09-18

What is the term for a celestial body that orbits a star, is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, but has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit?

A) Planet
B) Asteroid
C) Dwarf Planet
D) Comet

Explanation

According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) definition, a dwarf planet meets the first two criteria of a planet (orbits the Sun, sufficient mass for hydrostatic equilibrium) but fails the third (has not cleared its orbit of other objects).

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