Dwarf Planets: The Solar System’s Smallest Worlds
Dwarf planets are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun but do not meet all the criteria to be classified as full-fledged planets. They are smaller than planets but large enough to have a spherical shape due to their gravity.
Why is Pluto a Dwarf Planet?
Pluto was once considered the ninth planet but was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This is because Pluto does not clear its orbit of other debris, a key requirement for being a planet.
Famous Dwarf Planets in Our Solar System
- Pluto – The most well-known dwarf planet, with an icy surface and a thin atmosphere.
- Ceres – The largest object in the Asteroid Belt, possibly containing underground water.
- Eris – Slightly smaller than Pluto but more massive.
- Haumea – A fast-spinning dwarf planet with an elongated shape.
- Makemake – A cold, distant world in the Kuiper Belt.
Scientists believe there are many more dwarf planets beyond Neptune, waiting to be discovered!
💡 Want to explore more? Read The Moon and Other Natural Satellites
