January 27, 2023

QUESTION:

In order to qualify as a planet, a celestial body must meet three criteria. The first two are listed below; can you name the third? Hint: it’s the reason why Pluto was demoted to dwarf planet status in 2006.

 

  1. It must orbit a star (in our cosmic neighborhood, the Sun).

  2. It must be big enough to have enough gravity to force it into a spherical shape.

  3. ???

 

(Scroll down for answer)

ANSWER:

 

  1. It must orbit a star (in our cosmic neighborhood, the Sun).

  2. It must be big enough to have enough gravity to force it into a spherical shape.

  3. It must be big enough that its gravity cleared away any other objects of a similar size near its orbit around the Sun.

Source: NASA.gov

 
Margaret Kay