Why Are Planets Round?

Why Are Planets Round?

Formation:

Hydrostatic Equilibrium:

  • A "planet" is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.

  • A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape [2], (c) has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

  • All other objects, except satellites, orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar-System Bodies".

  • NASA: Solar System Exploration - Our Solar System

  • Wikipedia - Nebular Hypothesis

  • COSMOS - Hydrostatic Equilibrium

  • Wikipedia - Hydrostatic Equilibrium