ice dwarf
The term "ice dwarf" refers to small celestial bodies primarily composed of ice and rock, often found in the outer regions of a solar system, and has been in use since the 1990s.
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Definition
C1Astronomy
(technical, scientific)A small celestial object made mostly of ice and rock, typically located beyond Neptune.
Example
- Pluto is classified as an ice dwarf because it consists largely of ice and rock.
- Ice dwarfs like Sedna orbit in the distant, cold regions of our solar system.
C1Astronomy
(technical, scientific)A trans-Neptunian object that contains more ice than a typical asteroid and is larger than the core of a comet.
Example
- Scientists study ice dwarfs to understand the composition of the early solar system.
- The discovery of new ice dwarfs challenges our understanding of planetary formation.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "ice dwarf":
ice giantice queenblue iceyellow dwarfwater iceice blondeice maidenice bridgeice danceice floe