What are plutiods?

Answer 1

The word "Plutoid" means "Pluto-like", referring to Pluto, what used to be considered the ninth planet of our solar system, but which has since been downgraded. Plutoids are the term for the new category of dwarf planets. Plutoids are defined as dwarf planets that orbit the sun at a distance further than Neptune. They have enough mass for their own gravitational strength to give them a regular round shape. Dwarf planet, Eris, although 27 percent larger than Pluto, is also classed as a plutoid.

Answer 2

FOUR are known at present.

"Plutoids" is another term for Dwarf Planets like Pluto. (The Dwarf Planet Ceres is not a Plutoid because it's in the asteroid belt.)

There are actually a few confirmed Plutoids in our solar system. Also there are some likely objects yet to be officially named as Plutoids. Most of them are only recently discovered due to new technology. Most of the new ones have a "codename" rather than an actual name.

The confirmed Plutoid Dwarf Planets are:

- Eris

- Pluto

- Makemake

- Haumea

Some Possible Plutoids:

- Sedna

- Orcus

- Quaoar

- 2002 TX300

- 2002 AW197

- 2003 AZ84

- 28978 Ixion

- 20000 Varuna

- 2004 GV9

- 38628 Huya

- 1996 TL66

- 2003 MW12

- 2005 RN43

- 2005 RN43

- 2003 OP32

- 2001 UR163

- 2004 SB60

- 2005 RM43

- 2004 UX10

- 1999 DE9

Then again, there is also a list of planet-like objects in space which could be Dwarf Planets. But they need to be assessed further with more research before they can be classed as a Dwarf Planet or an Asteroid.

We are constantly making new discoveries.

See the related links below for the full list of confirmed and possible Dwarf Planets.

Answer 3

A pluton is a large body of igneous rock which has formed underground as rising magma has cooled.

Answer 4

So far we have found four.