Minor Planet Official

: Objects sharing an orbit with a planet (Trojans) or orbiting between the giant planets (Centaurs). 3. Scientific Significance

: Bodies located beyond the orbit of Neptune, including Kuiper Belt objects. minor planet

: Crucially, minor planets have not cleared their orbital path of other debris. : Objects sharing an orbit with a planet

The term "minor planet" is an astronomical classification encompassing all small solar system bodies that are not comets. As of early 2026, over 1.5 million minor planets have been identified. These bodies are distinguished from major planets based on three criteria established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) : : They must orbit a star (the Sun). including Kuiper Belt objects. : Crucially