Solar System

The Solar System is the gravitationally bound system of the Sun and the objects that orbit it, either directly or indirectly. Of the objects that orbit the Sun directly, the largest are the eight planets, with the remainder being smaller objects, the dwarf planets and small Solar System bodies. Of the objects that orbit the Sun indirectly—the natural satellites—two are larger than the smallest planet, Mercury. The Solar System 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 the majority of the remaining mass contained in Jupiter. The four smaller inner system planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, are terrestrial planets, being primarily composed of rock and metal. The four outer system planets are giant planets, being substantially more massive than the terrestrials.

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Astronomers spot possible Planet Nine in data spanning 23 years | Old satellite data points to potential ninth planet in our solar system

New Horizons Helps Map the Hot Clouds of Interstellar Gas All Around the Solar System

Strongest hints yet of biological activity outside the solar system: « Astronomers have detected the most promising signs yet of a possible biosignature outside the solar system, although they remain cautious. »

New JWST observations of 'trans-Neptunian objects' could help reveal our solar system's past

Mysterious Glowing Structure Discovered Near Solar System

Huge, Invisible Cloud Discovered Just 300 Light-Years From The Solar System

A vast molecular cloud, long invisible, is discovered near solar system

New look at galactic region surrounding our solar system: Lyman-alpha emissions

A Huge Molecular Cloud Found Close to the Solar System

Astronomers gaze into 'dark nebula' 60 times the size of the solar system (video)

A vast molecular cloud, long invisible, is discovered near our solar system

A vast molecular cloud, long invisible, is discovered near solar system

Astronomers Detect Huge Molecular Hydrogen Cloud near Our Solar System

A vast molecular cloud, long invisible, is discovered near solar system - EurekAlert!

A vast molecular cloud, long invisible, is discovered near solar system - EurekAlert!

Breakthrough Discovery: A Massive Glowing Hydrogen Cloud Found Near Our Solar System

Scientists use James Webb Space Telescope to better understand solar system's origins

We took a guided tour of the solar system in Elite Dangerous, and now you can too (interview)

Planet Sizes and Locations in Our Solar System

Will we ever have confirmation of life outside our solar system?