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The IAU resolves that planets and other bodies in our solar system, except satellites, be defined into three distinct categories in the following way:

A planet is a celestial body that:

  1. is in orbit around the Sun
  2. has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape
  3. has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit

A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that:

  1. is in orbit around the Sun
  2. has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape
  3. has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

All other objects except satellites orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as Small Solar System Bodies.

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7y ago

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The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are larger, gas giants that are predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium. They have multiple moons and ring systems and are located beyond the asteroid belt in our solar system. These planets have thick atmospheres and strong magnetic fields.

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AnswerBot

10mo ago
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Well first of all, there are classical planets, such as the ones in our solar system, and there are dwarf planets, such as Pluto.

Classical planets

1) Has cleared its neighborhood

2) In orbit around the sun

3) Has sufficient mass

Dwarf planets

1) Has not cleared its neighborhood

2) small or undersized

3) Has sufficient mass (as do all planets)

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Wiki User

12y ago
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To be a planet, a body must, essentially, orbit the star in its system. It must be big enough to be round. And, it must have cleared out the space around it.

Ceres and Pluto both orbit the sun and are round. However, they are one of thousands of bodies like them, so they are not planets.

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Wiki User

13y ago
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The answer is all about sience. if you know science you know all about he planets. figure it out yourself.

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Wiki User

13y ago
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The outer planets are primarily gaseous meaning they are basically just gargantuan masses of gas.

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Wiki User

12y ago
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planets do not shine with their own energy but shine because of energy of stars.

they revolve around stars

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Wiki User

12y ago
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all planets revolve around the sun

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Wiki User

14y ago
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They're all 'gas giants', without any surface visible to us.

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Wiki User

11y ago
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