What does the term hydrostatic equilibrium imply about a celestial object's physical shape?
Answer
It has assumed a nearly round shape due to its own gravity.
One of the core requirements for planetary status is that the celestial object must possess sufficient mass such that its inherent gravity has molded its structure into a state of hydrostatic equilibrium. This state is characterized by the body achieving a nearly round or spherical shape. Gravity pulls matter equally toward the center of mass, smoothing out irregularities caused by internal pressures or external impacts over long timescales, making shape a fundamental indicator of mass sufficient for gravitational dominance.
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