Dwarf Planets
⭐ MasteredDwarf planets are round objects that orbit the Sun but haven't cleared their orbits. Pluto, Ceres and Eris are dwarf planets. Pluto was reclassified in 2006.
Ceres is in the asteroid belt.
All about Dwarf Planets
Dwarf planets are round objects that orbit the Sun but have not cleared their orbits of other objects. They are smaller than the eight major planets. Pluto, Ceres and Eris are examples of dwarf planets.
Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006, after astronomers found many similar objects in the outer Solar System. Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt and is also classed as a dwarf planet.
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Real-life uses of Dwarf Planets
- Understanding how the Solar System formed
- Helping scientists decide how to classify new discoveries
- Learning about distant icy worlds
Frequently asked questions about Dwarf Planets
Why was Pluto reclassified?
Because it does not clear its orbit of other objects, which is one of the requirements for being a full planet.
Which dwarf planet is the largest?
Eris is about the same size as Pluto, and Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt.
Do dwarf planets have moons?
Some do. Pluto has five known moons, including Charon.