Which quantitative measure did Steven Soter develop to numerically assess orbital dominance?
Answer
Planetary Discriminant (Hp).
To move beyond subjective visual assessment of orbital dominance, astronomer Steven Soter created a specific mathematical formula known as the Planetary Discriminant, symbolized as Hp. This quantitative tool allows astronomers to calculate precisely how gravitationally dominant an orbiting body is compared to all other objects existing within the same orbital zone. The resulting value provides a concrete number that can be compared against a defined threshold to determine if the object qualifies for full planetary status based on this specific criterion established by the IAU.
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