Dwarf planets are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun and have sufficient mass to assume a nearly round shape but do not meet all the criteria to be classified as full planets. They differ from planets primarily because they have not cleared their orbits of other debris. Examples include Pluto and Eris.
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Dwarf planets are celestial objects that orbit the Sun and possess enough mass for their self-gravity to create a nearly round shape. However, they do not satisfy all the criteria to be classified as full-fledged planets. Specifically, dwarf planets have not cleared their orbits of other debris, which distinguishes them from the eight major planets. This category was established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to better classify objects like Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres. These bodies share similarities with planets but differ in their ability to dominate their orbital zones, resulting in their classification as dwarf planets.