A planetoid is a minor body that is part of the solar system . According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), the term can be used as a synonym for asteroid .
The etymological origin of this term that we are now analyzing must be established that it is found in Greek. Specifically, it was given form by uniting the following components: the verb "planao", which means "to wander" or "to wander"; the suffix "-tes", which is used to indicate the "agent", and the suffix "-eidos", which is used as a synonym for "appearance of".
Planetoids or asteroids have a diameter of less than 1,000 kilometers . They are generally located between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars and revolve around the Sun , the most important star in the solar system.
A planetoid can be said to be larger than a planet , but smaller than a meteoroid . It is important to mention, however, that the notion of planetoid stopped being used formally in 2006 .
This is because, in that year, the International Astronomical Union ( UAI ) was in charge of redefining what a planet is and established other classifications. Then the name dwarf planets was proposed to refer to certain celestial bodies that, according to the new criteria, are not "traditional" planets.
Thus, a planetoid like Ceres came to be referred to as a dwarf planet. A "conventional" planet like Pluto , meanwhile, lost that status and also became a dwarf planet.
In any case, a planetoid is still usually mentioned as a body that is larger than a meteoroid and smaller than a planet and that is neither a comet (a star surrounded by a luminous atmosphere, which has a low-density nucleus) nor a satellite. (an opaque body that revolves around a planet and lacks its own brightness, although it reflects sunlight). To use the various astronomical concepts accurately, it is essential to respect the instructions of the UAI and pay attention to new developments that are usually linked to scientific discoveries or advances.
In addition to Ceres and Pluto there are other planetoids in our solar system, such as the following:
-Haumea, which has an approximate diameter of 1,400 kilometers and has two natural satellites: Haumea I and Haumea II. Likewise, it should be noted that it is located exactly in what is called the Kuiper Belt.
-Eris, which is the last dwarf planet or planetoid. It can also be noted that it has a diameter of about 2,236 kilometers, that it is located in the Kuiper Belt and that it has a natural satellite that responds to the name of Dysnomia.
-Makemake, which, like the previous ones, is in the aforementioned Kuiper Belt and there it is one of the largest elements that exist. Its diameter is between 1,300 and 1,900 kilometers. At the moment, it is considered to have no known type of natural satellite.
Finally, we have to emphasize that in the successful film saga "Star Wars" there is a lot of talk about planetoids. Among these, the Expeditionary Combat Planetoid stands out, which was a combat station created by Raith Sienar as a project prior to the Death Star.