Difference between revisions of "Planet"
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− | A planet is a body | + | A '''planet''' is a astronomical body that is in [[orbit]] around a [[star]], has sufficient mass for its own [[gravity]] to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit <ref>http://www.iau.org/iau0603.414.0.html</ref>. |
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+ | The phrase "cleared the neighborhood around its orbit" refers to a body "sweeping out" the area around its orbit as it forms, by causing all other smaller bodies in its orbit to accrete with it. As a consequence it does not then share its orbital region with any other bodies of significant size, except for satellites or those collected later under its gravitational influence. | ||
== References == | == References == |
Revision as of 14:27, April 6, 2007
A planet is a astronomical body that is in orbit around a star, has sufficient mass for its own gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit [1].
The phrase "cleared the neighborhood around its orbit" refers to a body "sweeping out" the area around its orbit as it forms, by causing all other smaller bodies in its orbit to accrete with it. As a consequence it does not then share its orbital region with any other bodies of significant size, except for satellites or those collected later under its gravitational influence.