planetoiden

Planetoids are celestial bodies that orbit stars and are large enough to be rounded by their own gravity, but have not cleared their orbits of other debris. They are distinct from planets, which are bodies that have cleared their orbits of other debris. Planetoids are often found in the outer regions of solar systems, where they can accumulate without being gravitationally disturbed by larger bodies.

The term "planetoid" is often used interchangeably with "dwarf planet," but the two terms are not exactly synonymous. Dwarf planets are a specific category of planetoids that meet additional criteria, such as having sufficient mass to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium and not being a satellite of another planet. Examples of dwarf planets include Pluto, Eris, and Ceres.

Planetoids can be found in various forms, including asteroids, Kuiper Belt objects, and Oort Cloud objects. These bodies can range in size from small asteroids just a few kilometers across to larger objects like Pluto, which is about 2,377 kilometers in diameter. The study of planetoids provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of solar systems, as well as the potential for future exploration and resource utilization.