How many dwarf planets exist in our solar system? What are their names? How were they discovered?
1 Answer
Mar 26, 2016
As of now, about 200 small and quite large dwarf planets have been discovered. Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Quaoar,Sedna and Orcus are some of them.
Explanation:
With advances in technology and instrumentation, it is discoveries galore for distant dwarf planets with perihelion at 100+ AU level.
Notable earlier and recent discoveries are the nearest-to-Sunr (asteroid reclassified as dwarf planet by IAU) Ceres (1801 AD), Pluto (1930), Haumea (2003), Eris and Makemake (2005), Quaoar, Sedna, Orcus...... The list is long, as found in wiki;s.
The important deficiency in the so-called dwarf planet is that its gravitational force is insufficient to clear its neighborhood of small space bodies around, by suction.
