Abdid, the astronomer, has most likely found a new dwarf planet in the asteroid belt. Unlike asteroids, dwarf planets are round, rocky objects that are not similar in shape to typical asteroids. Some characteristics of dwarf planets include orbiting the Sun, being spherical in shape, but not clearing their orbit of other debris like a regular planet would. Examples of known dwarf planets include Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres. By observing these distinctive features, Abdid can deduce that the object he discovered is likely a new dwarf planet within the asteroid belt.
