misgradation

Misgradation refers to the process by which a celestial body, such as a planet or moon, fails to develop into its full potential or a typical classification. This can occur due to a variety of factors during its formation and early evolution. For example, a planet might fail to accumulate sufficient mass to become a gas giant or even a terrestrial planet, resulting in a smaller, less substantial body. Alternatively, a celestial body might start on a path to forming a particular type of world but be disrupted or altered, leading to a misgraded state.

This can involve incomplete differentiation, where the core, mantle, and crust do not form distinct layers as expected. It might also include a lack of a substantial atmosphere, a frozen or molten surface when it should be stable, or an unusual orbital configuration. The presence of impactors during critical formation phases can also lead to misgradation by either stripping away material or altering the body's composition and structure.

In essence, misgradation describes worlds that deviate significantly from the expected norms for their size, location, and presumed formation history. These bodies can offer valuable insights into the diverse outcomes of planetary formation and the complex processes that shape celestial objects within solar systems. Studying misgraded bodies helps scientists refine models of planetary evolution and understand the range of possibilities in planetary system architectures.