Dwarf Planets

Dwarf planets are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun and are similar to traditional planets, but they do not meet all the criteria to be classified as full-fledged planets. Specifically, they are not gravitationally dominant in their orbits, meaning they share their space with other objects of similar size. Examples of dwarf planets include Pluto, Eris, and Ceres. They are typically spherical in shape due to their own gravity and can have varied compositions, including rock and ice. The term reflects ongoing discoveries and debates in planetary science about the characteristics that define our solar system's celestial bodies.