Plutoid

Since June 2008, following a decision by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), a dwarf planet orbiting the Sun at a distance greater than Neptune must be called a plutoid.

A plutoid therefore has sufficient mass for its own gravity to provide hydrostatic equilibrium, giving it a quasi-spherical shape. Furthermore, to be classified as a plutoid, the body must not have cleaned up the objects in its orbit. Satellites of plutoids are not plutoids, even if they are also quasi-spherical in shape.

Currently, only Pluto and Eris are officially in this new class. The dwarf planet Ceres is not beyond Neptune's orbit, and cannot therefore be included.