| − | [[Image:Eris and Dysnomia.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Eris]] and its satellite, [[Dysnomia]].]]A '''dwarf planet''' is a satellite of the [[Sun]] that meets the following criteria now set by the [[International Astronomical Union]]:{{Cquote|(a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d)is not a satellite.<ref>"[http://www.iau.org/iau0602.423.0.html IAU0602: the Final IAU Resolution on the Definition of 'Planet' Ready for Voting]," ''International Astronomical Union'', 2005. Accessed January 14, 2008.</ref>}} | + | [[Image:Eris and Dysnomia.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Eris]] and its satellite, [[Dysnomia]].]]A '''dwarf planet''' is a satellite of the [[Sun]] that meets the following criteria now set by the [[International Astronomical Union]]:{{Cquote|(a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.<ref>"[http://www.iau.org/iau0602.423.0.html IAU0602: the Final IAU Resolution on the Definition of 'Planet' Ready for Voting]," ''International Astronomical Union'', 2005. Accessed January 14, 2008.</ref>}} |
| | + | The definition was adopted on 24 August, 2006, as part of a three-way classification of bodies orbiting the Sun.<ref>http://www.iau.org/static/resolutions/Resolution_GA26-5-6.pdf</ref> This classification defines [[planet|planets]] as "a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape and (c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit." |