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Which objects are recognized as dwarf planets in the solar system?
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Solar system
The planets (in comparative size) in order of distance from the Sun.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) defines a dwarf planet as a celestial body that orbits the Sun, has sufficient mass to assume a nearly round shape due to its own gravity, has not cleared its orbital neighborhood, and is not a moon.12
Currently, the IAU officially recognizes five objects as dwarf planets:1
- Ceres: Located in the asteroid belt, it was the first dwarf planet discovered (1801) and is the only one not classified as a plutoid.34
- Pluto: Formerly classified as the ninth planet, it was reclassified in 2006.31
- Haumea: A rapidly rotating, elongated object in the Kuiper belt discovered in 2003.14
- Makemake: A reddish Kuiper belt object discovered in 2005.14
- Eris: A massive Kuiper belt object discovered in 2005, whose size prompted the formal redefinition of planetary status.31
While these five are the current official members, many other candidates exist in the solar system that may be designated as dwarf planets as further research is conducted.14