Planet

A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star (like our Sun) and is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity. But wait, there's more! To qualify as a true planet, it must also have "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit. This means it's the dominant gravitational force in its region, having absorbed or flung away any smaller objects like asteroids or comets.
Remember the Pluto controversy? That's when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially defined "planet" in 2006, leading to Pluto's reclassification as a "dwarf planet." This sparked a heated debate among astronomers and space fans alike. Some argue the definition is too restrictive, while others believe it accurately reflects the unique nature of planets.
Category:Cosmology
Category:Main