Planets: Difference between revisions

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The term planet refers to celestial bodies orbiting a [[star]] with a [[gravity]] in a specific range. The gravity of a planet has to be strong enough to hold fluids in a stable state (hydrostatic equilibrium) which prevents them from escaping the planet, and low enough to prevent nuclear processes to start as in stars.
The term planet refers to celestial bodies orbiting a [[star]] with a [[gravity]] in a specific range. The gravity of a planet has to be strong enough to hold fluids in a stable state (hydrostatic equilibrium) which prevents them from escaping the planet, and low enough to prevent nuclear processes to start as in stars.


Some astronomical objects that meet the official criteria for planet status yet also happen to orbit a planet are instead classified as natural satellites or [[moons]]. When a moon's orbit expands to the point that the [[barycentre]] of the planet-moon system falls outside the center of the planet, then both bodies would be considered planets and part of a double-planet system.<ref>https://www.universetoday.com/85749/is-the-moon-a-planet/</ref>
Some astronomical objects that meet the official criteria for planet status yet also happen to orbit a planet are instead classified as natural satellites or [[moons]]. When the [[barycentre]] of the planet-moon system falls outside the planet, then both bodies would be considered planets and part of a double-planet system.<ref>https://www.universetoday.com/85749/is-the-moon-a-planet/</ref>


==[[Terrestrial Planet]]s==
==[[Terrestrial Planet]]s==