What led to a change in the number of officially classified planets in 2006? Scientists determined that some inner planets are too small to be considered spherical. Scientists determined that Pluto does not orbit a star. Scientists determined that the dwarf planet Eris should be included. Scientists determined that Pluto does not clear its orbit of other objects.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) downgraded the status of Pluto to that of a dwarf planet because it did not meet the three criteria the IAU uses to define a full-sized planet.