minor planet

[ mahy-ner plan-it ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. asteroid ( def 1 ).

minor planet

noun

1. See asteroid
   another name for asteroid

minor planet

/ mī′nər /

1. See asteroid

Word History and Origins

Origin of minor planet¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Let b be the longitude of a minor planet in the initial epoch, that is to say, the epoch zero.

From Project Gutenberg

The minor planet Andromache, immediately interior to the critical distance 3.51, has elements somewhat remarkable.

From Project Gutenberg

After ten hours they saw the huge Jupiter Equilateral orbit-ship looming up in the viewscreen like a minor planet.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Palisa finds that the recently discovered minor planet (1905 QY) varies in light to a considerable extent.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the real source of the value of the minor planet method.

From Project Gutenberg