Solar System: Home

"As the Sun rushes through space at a speed of roughly 150 miles (240 kilometers) per second, it takes many smaller objects along with it. These include the planets and dwarf planets; their moons; and small bodies such as asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. All these objects orbit, or revolve around, the Sun. Together, the Sun and all its smaller companions are known as the solar system. The solar system itself orbits the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, completing one revolution about every 225 million years..."

"The solar system consists of the sun and everything that orbits, or travels around, the sun. This includes the eight planets and their moons, dwarf planets, and countless asteroids, comets, and other small, icy objects. However, even with all these things, most of the solar system is empty space..."

"Our planetary system is located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy..."

"Planets are large natural objects that orbit, or travel around, stars. Eight planets orbit the star called the Sun..."