Planetarylike

Planetarylike is a term used in astronomy to describe celestial bodies that share characteristics with planets in our solar system but do not fully meet the official definition of a planet. These objects typically orbit a star and are massive enough for their self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that they assume a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape. However, they may not have cleared the neighborhood around their orbit of other objects, a key criterion for planethood as defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

The term "planetarylike" can encompass a range of objects. It might include dwarf planets, which are known to orbit the Sun and are massive enough to be rounded, but have not cleared their orbital paths. It can also refer to exoplanets that are discovered to be of a planetary mass and size and orbit a star, but their orbital dominance is yet to be confirmed or is known to be incomplete. In some contexts, it might also be used informally for very large moons that orbit planets but are not planets themselves, especially if they exhibit geological activity or possess atmospheres. The categorization of celestial bodies is an ongoing process, and the distinction between planets, dwarf planets, and other planetarylike objects is subject to refinement as new discoveries are made.