Question

Select the statement(s) that accurately describe the criteria for an object to be considered a planet in our solar system.

It must be made of rock.

It must have enough mass and gravity to form a sphere.

It must orbit the Sun.

It must have "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.

It must be bigger than all the solar system's moons.

Answer 1

The statements that accurately describe the criteria for an object to be considered a planet in our solar system are:

1. **It must have enough mass and gravity to form a sphere.**
2. **It must orbit the Sun.**
3. **It must have "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.**

The following statements are **not** criteria for an object to be considered a planet:

- **It must be made of rock.** (This is not true; planets can be composed of gas, ice, and other materials as well.)
- **It must be bigger than all the solar system's moons.** (This is not a requirement; some moons are larger than certain planets, such as Pluto, which is classified as a dwarf planet.)

Thus, the first three statements are the valid criteria for classification as a planet.