Minor Planet -

Minor planets are found in diverse regions of the solar system, reflecting various evolutionary paths:

: Bodies located beyond the orbit of Neptune, including Kuiper Belt objects. minor planet

The term "minor planet" is an astronomical classification encompassing all small solar system bodies that are not comets. As of early 2026, over 1.5 million minor planets have been identified. These bodies are distinguished from major planets based on three criteria established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) : : They must orbit a star (the Sun). Minor planets are found in diverse regions of

: Crucially, minor planets have not cleared their orbital path of other debris. minor planet