Fact Check: Five dwarf planets and a new candidate — how is it decided? | Explained News, The Indian Express

Fact Check: Five dwarf planets and a new candidate — how is it decided? | Explained News, The Indian Express

By Express News Service |New Delhi |Published: November 2, 2019 9:15:38 am

Fact Check: Five dwarf planets and a new candidate — how is it decided?

If it qualifies, Hygiea will be the smallest dwarf planet in the Solar System.

A new SPHERE/VLT image of Hygiea. (European Space Organisation)

As of today, there are officially five dwarf planets in our Solar System. The most famous is Pluto, downgraded from the status of a planet in 2006. The other four, in order of size, are Eris, Makemake, Haumea and Ceres. Now, there is a claimant for a sixth dwarf planet.