What is a planetary system?

A planetary system is a group of celestial bodies that orbit around a star or a stellar remnant. These celestial bodies include planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other minor objects. Our Solar System is a well-known example of a planetary system, with eight planets orbiting around the Sun.

Planetary systems can have a varying number of celestial bodies and their arrangement can also be different. Some systems have planets that are located close to their host star, while others have planets that are much farther away. Some systems have planets that are similar in size and composition to Earth, while others have planets that are much larger or smaller.

The study of planetary systems is important because it helps us understand the formation and evolution of our own Solar System and the potential for the existence of life beyond our planet. With the discovery of thousands of exoplanets in recent years, scientists have found that planetary systems are common in the Universe, and many of them are different from our own Solar System.