What kind of material does the IAU definition of "debris" refer to, as opposed to space junk in LEO?
Answer
Residual planetesimals and asteroids from the solar system's accretion period.
It is crucial to differentiate the type of 'debris' referenced in the IAU planetary definition from the modern concerns regarding human-made space debris found in orbits like Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In the context of planetary criteria, 'debris' specifically means the leftover building blocks—the residual planetesimals and asteroids—that existed during the original formation and accretion phase of the solar system. A body that has cleared its orbit has dominated the natural, primordial material within its gravitational sphere of influence.
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