dwarf planet

== English == === Etymology === Coined by analogy with dwarf star, as part of a tripartite classification of planets: classical planets (the big 8 in the Sol system), satellite planets (planetary-mass moons) and dwarf planets. Redefined by the IAU in 2006 to be a category of sub-planetary objects. === Pronunciation === === Noun === dwarf planet (plural dwarf planets) (astronomy) A planetary (world-like) body of the Solar system, that directly orbits the Sun like the classical planets but does not gravitationally dominate other bodies in the region of its orbit. Synonyms: planetoid, quasi-planet, sub-planet Hypernyms: minor planet, planet, planetary-mass object Hyponyms: ice dwarf, plutoid ==== Usage notes ==== Whether a dwarf planet is a planet or not depends on one's definition of planet. According to the IAU, a dwarf planet is a sub-planetary object, but to the coiner of the term and many other planetary geologists, a dwarf planet is a planet. ==== Hyponyms ==== double dwarf planet (Inner Solar System): Ceres (Outer Solar System): Eris, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, Gonggong, Quaoar, Sedna, possibly also Orcus, Salacia ==== Related terms ==== dwarf planetary major planet planetary object satellite planet ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== (most likely dwarf planets of the Solar System) Ceres, Orcus, Pluto, Haumea, Quaoar, Makemake, Gonggong, Eris, Sedna protoplanet === Further reading === dwarf planet on Wikipedia.Wikipedia