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Old 13-October-2006, 03:18 PM
CuddlySkyGazer CuddlySkyGazer is offline
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Despite the IAU Q&A cited, there is still some dispute as to whether Ceres remains an asteroid or not.

It is definitely a dwarf planet. The question is whether a dwarf planet can simultaneously be an asteroid. Do the definitions overlap?

The definition passed in August divided bodies other than the Sun in our solar system into three - planets, dwarf planets and small solar system bodies (SSSBs). The resolution stated: "All other objects3 except satellites orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar-System Bodies"". Note 3 was: "These currently include most of the Solar System asteroids, most Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), comets, and other small bodies."

OK, if SSSBs only include 'most' of the asteroids, then there must be some asteroids that are not SSSBs. The eight planets were never asteroids, so that only leaves the three dwarf planets as possible asteroids (or TNOs). Hence - is Ceres still an asteroid?
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