planetary object
A 'planetary object' refers to various substantial bodies within a solar system that share certain characteristics with planets, often used in discussions about celestial bodies and their classifications.
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Definition
C1Astronomy
(technical, academic)A substantial body in space that orbits a star, such as a planet, dwarf planet, moon, asteroid, or comet.
Example
- Scientists discovered a new planetary object orbiting the distant star.
- The asteroid belt contains numerous planetary objects of varying sizes.
C1Astronomy
(technical, academic)A body involved in the formation of planets, including protoplanets and planetesimals.
Example
- Protoplanets are considered planetary objects crucial to understanding the early stages of planetary formation.
- Planetesimals, as planetary objects, played a significant role in building the planets we observe today.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "planetary object":
satellite planetmajor planettertiary planetdouble planetheavenly body