Minor Planet -

: Objects sharing an orbit with a planet (Trojans) or orbiting between the giant planets (Centaurs). 3. Scientific Significance

The study of minor planets is essential for several reasons: FindPOTATOs: Minor Planet Observation Linking Software minor planet

: Crucially, minor planets have not cleared their orbital path of other debris. : Objects sharing an orbit with a planet

A sub-category, , includes larger minor planets like Pluto , Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake, which meet the shape criteria but fail to clear their orbits. 2. Distribution and Populations includes larger minor planets like Pluto