What is a moon and its main criteria?
We have already specified the main features of a star and a planet, let’s now also clarify what a moon is.
It would be incorrect to limit the definition of a as any celestial object that revolves around a planet, because that would mean dust particles also fall under that category.
According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), to be called a moon, a celestial body must satisfy the following criteria:
It must be in a heliocentric orbit (it must revolve around its planet, and together they both must revolve around the Sun).
It should be roughly spherical in shape, but smaller than the planets (if its size is comparable to its host planet, then it would be a planet by itself, not a moon). Exception: captured asteroids don’t satisfy this criterion.
It has to be massive enough to clear most of its orbit of debris so that it is the only dominant celestial body in its orbit.
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