What are Dwarf Planets?
Dwarf Planets are a special kind of space body that's not quite a "planet", but is similar enough to be classified as like a planet.
To classify a planet as a planet, size isn't the only defining factor. Contrary to that belief, the main deciding factor for a planet versus a dwarf planet is if the orbit path around the body's star is clear of other space debris, like rocks, ice, and more!
Pluto
Our solar system's shining star Dwarf Planet is Pluto, a Dwarf Planet discovered in 1930 and formerly our 9th official planet. However, in 2006, Pluto was reclassified to Dwarf status due to its orbit path not being so clear, and itself not being big enough to clear it out. But that doesn't stop Pluto from having things even some of our planets don't!
For instance, Pluto has 5 moons! That's more than all of the Rocky Planet's moons combined! Pluto's biggest moon is named Charon, and Charon is roughly half Pluto's size. The other four moons are named Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and Styx. These four moons, unlike Charon, don't stay tidally locked, nor have a round structure.
Pluto and its moons are located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of the Solar System beyond any of the 8 planets we know of that orbit the sun. It's VERY cold out there.
Kuiper Belt Dwarves
Pluto isn't our only Dwarf Planet! Alongside Pluto in the Kuiper Belt, live several other celestial bodies. Like Eris, Makemake, and Haumea, other Dwarf Planets to keep little Pluto company!
Eris is the second-largest after Pluto, a rocky ice-cold surface and with a small moon called Dysnomia. Originally, Eris was named "Xena", but the name was changed after more debate came out about the classification of dwarf planets.
Haumea is the third-largest, a special little guy with a couple quirks. Besides Haumea's two moons, named Hiʻiaka and Namaka, Haumea is one of the fastest-rotating objects in the Solar System, stretching itself into an egg-like shape in the process. Not only that, Haumea also boasts a ring system, like our Gas Giant planets do!
The last recognized Kuiper Belt Dwarf Planet is Makemake, a rusty red Dwarf with one moon. The moon has no name yet, and is classified as "S/2015 (136472) 1", and nicknamed "MK 2".
Ceres
Deeper into our solar system, between the Rocky Planet Mars and the Gas Giant Jupiter, our Solar System houses a ring of rocky asteroids that separate the Giants from the small Rockies. This is called the Asteroid Belt, and we have a Dwarf Planet that resides inside it!
Ceres is a small little Dwarf, being 2.5x smaller, and 14x less massive than Pluto. Ceres boasts no moons, yet itself is the largest known object in the Asteroid Belt, and is noticeably round compared to the other things in the Belt. Ceres is also the oldest-discovered Dwarf Planet in our solar system, being discovered in 1801, over 100 years before Pluto!
Possible Dwarves
While there are only 5 classified Dwarf Planets in our solar system, there are a few other space bodies being taken into consideration for the title.
A lot of these candidates reside in the Kuiper Belt. A few have been recently accepted into consideration by the International Astronomical Union.
Gonggong, Quaoar, Orcus, Sedna, and Salacia are the five largest, and there's plenty more celestial bodies in our solar system that could qualify as a Dwarf Planet
