It was a burning question of mine for a while now:

I understand that dwarf planets like Pluto and Ceres aren’t considered planets of the solar system, but why are they called ‘dwarf PLANETS’ if they aren’t planets.

And no one really says, “the sun isn’t a star, it’s a Dwarf Star”. Nor is it declassified as one because of it.

So, why are dwarf planets not planets, but dwarf stars are stars?

  • SLVRDRGN@lemmy.world
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    8 hours ago

    I kind of agree - though I’d say they are both about what they’re “doing”, as the small rock can’t do what the big rock can (clear its celestial neighborhood).