answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf or minor planet in 2006 by the IAU because it failed to meet one of three criteria agreed on as characteristics of a true planet: it must be in solar orbit (which would exclude moons), it must be in hydrostatic equilibrium (or a rounded shape, which might eliminate many small, irregular-shaped asteroids), and it must have cleared a significant fraction of its orbit. Pluto failed to qualify under this last stipulation.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

5mo ago

Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet because it has not cleared its neighboring region of other debris, one of the criteria necessary for a celestial body to be considered a full-fledged planet. Additionally, its size and characteristics are more similar to other dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt rather than the eight recognized planets in our solar system.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What are the reasons that Pluto is a dwarf planet?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp