Planetoid vs. Planet

Planetoid vs. Planet — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Planetoid and Planet

Planetoidnoun

(astronomy) An asteroid of any size

Planetnoun

Each of the seven major bodies which move relative to the fixed stars in the night sky—the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Planetoidnoun

(astronomy) An asteroid-like body in an orbit beyond the asteroid belt, such as a centaur or Kuiper belt object

Planetnoun

(astronomy) A body which orbits the Sun directly and is massive enough to be in hydrostatic equilibrium (effectively meaning a spheroid) and to dominate its orbit; specifically, the eight major bodies of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. (Pluto was considered a planet until 2006 and has now been reclassified as a dwarf planet.)

Planetoidnoun

(astronomy) A larger, planetary, body in orbit around the Sun, such as Vesta or (candidate) dwarf planets such Eris or Sedna

Planetnoun

A large body which directly orbits any star (or star cluster) but which has not attained nuclear fusion.

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Planetoidnoun

(astronomy) A dwarf planet

Planetnoun

In phrases such as the planet, this planet, sometimes refers to the Earth.

Planetoidnoun

any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)

Planetnoun

any of the celestial bodies (other than comets or satellites) that revolve around the sun in the solar system

Planetnoun

a person who follows or serves another