dwarf planet
Let an agent handle dwarf planets by name, orbit, size and classification status, with IAU definitions and sourced data.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle dwarf planets by name, orbit, size and classification status, with IAU definitions and sourced data.
A celestial body that orbits the Sun, has enough mass to be nearly round, but has not cleared its orbital neighbourhood and is not a satellite; recognised examples include Pluto, Eris, Ceres, Haumea and Makemake.
What it is for: A classification in planetary science.
It can be classify bodies under IAU rules; study orbits and physical properties; follow missions such as New Horizons and Dawn; observe the brighter ones with telescopes.
Distinguishing features
Round from self-gravity
Has not cleared its orbit
Orbits the Sun directly
Many candidates remain unconfirmed
What it looks like
Small round worlds, icy or rocky.
Physical character
Pluto diameter: about 2377 km
Ceres diameter: about 940 km
How it is recognised
IAU-recognised names
Minor planet numbers such as 134340 Pluto
Plutoids are trans-Neptunian dwarf planets
Related models
is a kind of - category
is defined by - standard
orbits - primary
is contrasted with - classification
In practice
Families and kinds
plutoids (trans-Neptunian dwarf planets)
Ceres in the asteroid belt
candidate dwarf planets
Identifiers
minor planet number MPC number Minor Planet Center
Standards and regulation
IAU Resolution B5 (2006)
Failure modes and hazards
Stating candidates as confirmed
Partisan framing of the Pluto debate
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Classification Is it a dwarf planet.
IAU criteria decide.
Criteria
IAU definition.
Criteria
Criteria.
- Does the body meet the IAU criteria? boundary
- Is it officially recognised or a candidate? provenance
Debate
Planet status.
Debate
Debate.
- What are the arguments about the definition? provenance
- Is the account balanced? boundary
Body Properties.
Properties need sources.
Size
Diameter and mass.
Size
Size and mass.
- What are its diameter and mass? measurement
- From which mission or study? provenance
Surface
Composition.
Surface
Surface.
- What is its surface made of? measurement
- Does it have an atmosphere? definition
Orbit Where it moves.
Orbits define context.
Elements
Orbit data.
Elements
Orbital elements.
- What are its orbital period and distance? measurement
- From which ephemeris? provenance
Moons
Satellites.
Moons
Moons.
- Does it have moons? provenance
- Which ones? provenance
Exploration Missions.
Missions revealed dwarf planets.
Missions
Spacecraft.
Missions
Missions.
- Which spacecraft have visited it? provenance
- What did they find? provenance
Observing
From Earth.
Observing
Observing.
- Can amateurs observe it? boundary
- With what equipment? definition
What the second pass must settle
- Should candidates be separate entries?
- How should classification debates be represented?
- How should mission data be linked?