What is the definition of a major planet. Some sources give the nine planets in the solar system as the major planets, and asteroids, etc., as minor planets. Other sources give Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune as the major planets and the others as minor planets?

mk2norwich

This and other sites lists the planets beyond Earth as 'major' or 'superior' planets: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0860415.html May 02 03, 8:19 PM

_princess_007

According to: http://www.wordwebonline.com/search.pl?w=major+planet Major planet: (astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in order of their proximity to the sun; viewed from the constellation Hercules, all the planets rotate around the sun in a counterclockwise direction Nov 16 06, 9:28 PM

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The density of Earth is much greater than the four massive planets of our solar system - Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, and Saturn. What is the reason for this difference? What is the difference between terrestrial planets and gaseous planets? Why do some planets have rings? How many known planets are in our Solar System?

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