There’s been some confusion lately over the definition of “planet.” The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has been trying to clear things up by laying down some new rules. Under the new definition, there are only eight planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto is no longer a planet; it’s now classified as a dwarf planet. What’s the difference between a planet and a dwarf planet? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Dwarf Planet?
Dwarf planets are small celestial bodies that orbit the sun but are too small to be classified as full-fledged planets. The first Dwarf Planet to be discovered was Ceres, which is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Dwarf planets are usually round or spherical in shape and have a rocky or icy composition. Unlike planets, Dwarf planets do not have a clear-cut definition, and there is no agreed-upon criteria for what qualifies as a Dwarf planet. However, most astronomers agree that Dwarf planets must be large enough to have a self-gravity and an orbit that is free from the gravitational influence of other objects. As of 2020, there are five known Dwarf planets in our solar system: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. Dwarf planet status has also been proposed for a number of other bodies, such as the Moon and Earth’s companion satellite, but these proposals have not yet been widely accepted.
What is Planet?
Planet solar system is a type of planet that orbits around a star. Planet solar systems are thought to be common in the universe, and many stars are thought to have planets orbiting them. Planet solar systems can vary greatly in terms of their size, composition, and a number of planets. Some planet solar systems may only have a few planets, while others may have hundreds or even thousands of planets. Planet solar systems are also thought to come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, depending on the properties of the star they orbit. Planet solar systems are fascinating objects, and scientists are still learning a great deal about them.
Difference between Dwarf Planet and Planet
Dwarf planets and planets are both celestial bodies that orbit around stars. However, there are some key differences between the two. Dwarf planets are much smaller than planets, and they also have weaker gravitational fields. As a result, they are not able to clear their orbits of debris, which is one of the key criteria for being classified as a planet. In addition, Dwarf planets are often located in the outer reaches of a solar system, beyond the orbit of the gas giants. There are currently five recognized Dwarf planets in our Solar System: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. By contrast, there are only eight planets in our Solar System: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Thus, Dwarf planets are significantly less massive than planets and have different orbital characteristics.
Conclusion
Dwarf planets are similar to planets, but they have not cleared their neighborhoods of other objects. This means that dwarf planets are smaller and less massive than planets. There are five recognized dwarf planets in our solar system: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. Although they are different from regular planets, dwarf planets share many of the same characteristics and can be considered members of the solar system family.
