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Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Planet

The International Astronomical Union defines "planet" as a celestial body that, within the Solar System that is in orbit around the Sun; has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape; and has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit; or within another system, it is in orbit around a star or stellar remnants; has a mass below the limiting mass for thermonuclear fusion of deuterium; and is above the minimum mass/size requirement for planetary status in the Solar System.

Note:   The above text is excerpted from the Wikipedia article "Planet", which has been released under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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March 18, 2024

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