What Makes a Planet a Planet

Dwarf planets share their orbital space with other objects of a similar size. What makes a planet a planet?

What characteristic distinguishes dwarf planets from regular planets?

• They have sufficient mass for self-gravity

• They orbit a star

• They have cleared their neighborhood of other debris

• They are similar in size to regular planets

What makes a planet a planet? Planets have cleared their neighborhood of other objects and orbit a ___

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

What are the key characteristics that distinguish a planet from a dwarf planet?

• Ability to clear their orbital neighborhood and round shape

• Number of moons and distance from the sun

• Atmospheric composition and surface temperature

• Size and distance from Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What criteria are used to classify a celestial body as a planet?

What criteria are used to classify a celestial body as a dwarf planet?

What are the three criteria that define a planet?

• They must orbit around a star

• They must have a nearly round shape

• They must have a moon orbiting around them

• They must have cleared the neighborhood around their orbit