IAU Definition of Planet - New Dwarf Planet Subclass

New Dwarf Planet Subclass

On June 11, 2008, the IAU announced that the sub-category of dwarf planets with trans-Neptunian orbits would be known as "plutoids". In an accompanying press release, the IAU said that:

“ Plutoids are celestial bodies in orbit around the Sun at a distance greater than that of Neptune that have sufficient mass for their self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that they assume a hydrostatic equilibrium (near-spherical) shape, and that have not cleared the neighbourhood around their orbit. ”

This sub-category includes Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris.

Read more about this topic:  IAU Definition Of Planet

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