A Proposal for New Definitions of Solar System Bodies – Planet, Moon, and Satellite
(Submitted on 2 Aug 2013)
A new classification system for Solar System bodies is proposed which takes into account both physical and dynamical perspectives as well as critiques of the IAU resolutions for the definitions of planet, dwarf planet, and small solar system bodies. In this proposal there are four classes of planets which correspond with environments of planetary formation in the early history of the Solar System: Terrestrial, Cerian, Jovian, and Kuiperian. Specific physical criteria are adopted for identifying an object as a planet and the four classes naturally address dynamical concerns. The proposal also addresses the problem of calling all satellites in the growing list of objects discovered orbiting the Jovian planets as moons by defining two classes of satellites: moons and satellites. Advantages of the new system over the current IAU definitions are discussed.
