English

Noun

planemo ‎(plural planemos)

1. (astronomy) an astronomical object with enough mass to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium, but not enough to initiate core fusion at any time in its existence. That is, it is rounded in shape and is smaller than a star. Planemos include planets, dwarf planets, and the larger moons of the Solar System (satellite planets), but also sub-brown dwarfs and rogue planets between the stars.
   • 2003 December 1, Jacques Lépine & Jane Gregorio-Hetem, Open Issues in Local Star Formation, page 266:

     Other groups have also recently identified young, isolated planemos; understanding how such isolated, ultra-low masses form presents a challenge.

Hypernyms

• celestial body

Hyponyms

See also

• fusor
• planetoid

1. ↑ New York Times, 2006 August 04