ELi5 what makes the sun a star and not a planet? And why is the moon not considered a planet?

Question

ELi5 what makes the sun a star and not a planet? And why is the moon not considered a planet?

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Answer 1

The sun is a star because it is a massive nuclear reaction and ball of plasma rather than rock or metal (which can be covered in a gas atmosphere).

The moon is not considered a planet because it orbits the Earth. Planets must orbit the sun and not a planet.

Planets must also be massive enough that their gravity pulls them into a sphere – smaller things are asteroids, comets, or dwarf planets. The moon meets that criteria.