: Crucially, minor planets have not cleared their orbital path of other debris.
The study of minor planets is essential for several reasons: FindPOTATOs: Minor Planet Observation Linking Software minor planet
: Objects sharing an orbit with a planet (Trojans) or orbiting between the giant planets (Centaurs). 3. Scientific Significance : Crucially, minor planets have not cleared their
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). minor planet