* Orbits the Sun: Jupiter follows a path around the Sun, making it a celestial body in orbit around a star.
* Has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape: Jupiter is massive enough that its gravity pulls it into a nearly spherical shape.
* Has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit: This is the most debated point for Jupiter, as it has a very large gravitational influence that affects objects near it. However, Jupiter is still considered to have cleared its neighborhood enough to meet this criteria.
Why Jupiter is NOT a star:
While Jupiter is huge and has its own gravitational pull, it doesn't have enough mass to sustain nuclear fusion in its core, which is what makes stars shine. Jupiter is a gas giant, composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, and lacks the necessary mass and pressure to ignite these elements into fusion.
In summary:
Jupiter is a planet because it orbits the Sun, is large and round due to its gravity, and has a relatively clear orbit. It's not a star because it doesn't have the mass to initiate nuclear fusion.
