Category:Planets

A planet is a celestial body massive enough to be rounded into a near-spherical shape by its own gravity, but not massive enough to generate thermonuclear fusion at its core.

For an object to be officially recognized as a planet, it needs to be in orbit around a star or stellar remnant, and have cleared its orbit of similar-sized objects. However, rogue objects that fit the above definition are generally known as rogue planets. If a planet-like object isn't large enough to have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, it's generally regarded as a dwarf planet. Objects in orbit around planets are known as moons, regardless of whether or not they would fit the other criteria.