It has been suggested that minor planet be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

A small solar system body is a term defined in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union to describe solar system objects which are not planets or dwarf planets. A previously used term covering many of the same classes was "minor planet", which however also included some members of the "dwarf planet" category. Image File history File links Please see the file description page for further information. ... Minor planets, or planetoids are minor bodies of the Solar system orbiting the Sun (or of other planetary systems orbiting other stars) that are larger than meteoroids (the largest of which might be taken to be around 10 meters or so across) but smaller than major planets (Mercury having a... The final definition left the solar system with eight planets, pictured above (not to scale) Displays the remaining eight planets with the celestial bodies that have now been designated as dwarf planets. ... Logo of the IAU The International Astronomical Union (French: Union astronomique internationale) unites national astronomical societies from around the world. ... Major features of the solar system (not to scale) The solar system comprises the Sun and the retinue of celestial objects gravitationally bound to it: nine planets and their 158 currently known moons, as well as asteroids, meteoroids, planetoids, comets, and interplanetary dust. ... Displays the remaining eight planets with the three new dwarf planets. ... It has been suggested that Table of dwarf planets in the solar system be merged into this article or section. ... Minor planets, or planetoids are minor bodies of the Solar system orbiting the Sun (or of other planetary systems orbiting other stars) that are larger than meteoroids (the largest of which might be taken to be around 10 meters or so across) but smaller than major planets (Mercury having a...

All other objects orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar System Bodies" ... These currently include most of the Solar System asteroids, most Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), comets, and other small bodies.^[1]

It currently encompasses all known asteroids (except the largest one, 1 Ceres), as well as comets and the smaller Trans-Neptunian Objects. Some of the larger "small solar system bodies" may be reclassified in future as dwarf planets, pending further examination to determine whether or not they are in hydrostatic equilibrium. A trans-Neptunian object (TNO) is any object in the solar system with all or most of its orbit beyond that of Neptune. ... An asteroid is a predominantly rocky body that orbits around its star. ... 1 Ceres (seer-eez (key), IPA , Latin Cerēs) was the first asteroid to be discovered (indicated by the 1 in its name). ... Comet Hale-Bopp, showing a white dust tail and blue gas tail (February 1997) A comet is a small astronomical object similar to an asteroid but composed largely of ice. ... A trans-Neptunian object (TNO) is any object in the solar system with all or most of its orbit beyond that of Neptune. ... Hydrostatic equilibrium occurs when compression due to gravity is balanced by outward pressure. ...

It is not yet clear whether there will be a lower bound on the group of small solar system bodies, or if it will encompass all material down to the level of meteoroids. Worlds second largest Meteorite in Culiacan, Mexico A meteorite is a relatively small extra-terrestrial body that reaches the Earths surface. ...

References

1. ^ Definitions as voted on