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The minimum size isn't defined, but that's okay the maximum size isn't defined either! The orbit has to be identified. So every particle within Saturn's rings d
by SapporoChris 3y ago
The minimum size isn't defined, but that's okay the maximum size isn't defined either! The orbit has to be identified. So every particle within Saturn's rings doesn't qualify, at least not yet.
- wheels 3y agoIsn't the maximum size a size where the center of gravity lays outside the larger body? At that point it's a dual planetary system...
- kevin_thibedeau 3y agoThe Jupiter-sun barycenter is outside the sun. It's still a planet.
- wheels 3y agoBut that's because the star / planet boundary is fusion in the core, and thus Jupiter isn't a star. If Jupiter had fusion in its core, we could consider it a binary star system.
- zuminator 3y agoTrue, but if Jupiter was a dwarf star, we would consider it a binary star system even if its barycenter with the Sun remained within the Sun's surface. (Not that that would be possible in practice since even the least massive stars are more than 50x Jupiter's mass). That is, binary planet means external barycenter AND both objects must be planetary in nature. If the objects are small enough the term binary asteroid could come into play. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_asteroid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_asteroid
- aidenn0 3y agoEvery time SpaceX goes up, Earth pads its lead