Plutoids are a new class of bodies defined as those which maintain a near-spherical shape and have orbits which may intersect with others beyond the orbit of Neptune. That for now puts Pluto and Eris (a body beyond Pluto at nearly Pluto’s size) as the only objects in the category, but astronomers are certain that many more plutoids will be discovered as telescope technology improves. It does not include asteroids like Ceres, which were previously grouped with Pluto as dwarf planets, because they live within the solar system’s interior. The Kuiper Belt—a belt of asteroids beyond Neptune—is thought to harbor many plutoids. [Via BBC]
