dwarfplanetsized

Dwarfplanetsized is an informal, descriptive term used in astronomy to refer to celestial bodies whose physical dimensions are comparable to those of known dwarf planets. It is not an official category recognized by the International Astronomical Union, and its precise meaning can vary among researchers. The term is typically applied to objects in the solar system that are large enough to be scientifically interesting in terms of gravity and shape, but whose status as a dwarf planet is not settled or not inferred solely from size.

Size range and examples: Objects described as dwarfplanetsized usually span hundreds to a few thousand kilometers in diameter. Examples of bodies that fall in this approximate size range include Ceres (about 940 km in diameter), Makemake (around 1,400 km), Haumea (roughly 1,600 km along its longest axis), Eris (about 2,300 km), and Pluto (about 2,377 km).

Caveats: Being in this size range does not guarantee a dwarf planet status, which also depends on whether the body has achieved hydrostatic equilibrium (a nearly round shape) and whether it has cleared its orbital neighborhood. Some objects in the dwarfplanetsized range may be irregularly shaped and not in hydrostatic equilibrium, or may not have cleared their surroundings, and thus are not official dwarf planets.

Use: The term is mainly used in comparative studies of planetary formation, interior structure, and observational planning when discussing large small bodies. It helps communicate scale without committing to official classification.

See also: Dwarf planet; Hydrostatic equilibrium; Trans-Neptunian object.