What is the solar system?

The solar system is the planetary system that includes the Sun and all the objects that orbit around it. It formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago from the gravitational collapse of a giant interstellar molecular cloud. The majority of the system's mass is in the Sun, with most of the remaining mass contained in Jupiter.

The solar system consists of eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Each of the planets orbits the Sun and has its own unique characteristics. In addition to the planets, the solar system also contains dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and other space debris.

The study of the solar system is a branch of astronomy that seeks to understand the formation, evolution, and current state of the system. The solar system has played a crucial role in the development of human civilization, providing inspiration for art, religion, and scientific inquiry.

The solar system is the gravitationally bound system of the Sun and the objects that orbit it. It formed 4.6 billion years ago from the gravitational collapse of a giant interstellar molecular cloud. The vast majority of the system's mass is in the Sun, with most of the remaining mass contained in the planet Jupiter. The planetary system around the Sun contains eight planets. The four inner system planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars—are terrestrial planets, being composed primarily of rock and metal. The four giant planets of the outer system are substantially larger and more massive than the terrestrials.

Composition. The overall structure of the charted regions of the Solar System consists of the Sun, four smaller inner planets surrounded by a belt of mostly rocky asteroids, and four giant planets surrounded by the Kuiper belt of mostly icy objects.

The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest planet in the Solar System. It is a rocky planet with a solid surface. Venus is the second planet from the Sun and the hottest planet in the Solar System. It is also a rocky planet with a solid surface. Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only planet in the Solar System known to support life. It is a rocky planet with a solid surface. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System. It is a rocky planet with a solid surface.

The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in the Solar System. It is a gas giant with a thick atmosphere. Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest planet in the Solar System. It is also a gas giant with a thick atmosphere. Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and the third-largest planet in the Solar System. It is an ice giant with a thick atmosphere. Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and the fourth-largest planet in the Solar System. It is also an ice giant with a thick atmosphere.

The Solar System also contains a number of smaller objects, including asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. Asteroids are small, rocky bodies that orbit the Sun. Comets are small, icy bodies that orbit the Sun. Meteoroids are small, rocky or icy bodies that fall to Earth.

The Solar System is a vast and complex system, and we are still learning about it. There is much that we do not know, but we are constantly learning more.