Planetary system

Definition

A planetary system consists of a star and all the celestial bodies bound by gravity to it, including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. Our solar system is an example of a planetary system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Planetary systems can contain various types of planets, such as terrestrial and gas giants.
2. The discovery of exoplanetary systems has expanded our understanding of planet formation and evolution.
3. Gravitational forces play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and dynamics of planetary systems.
4. Protoplanetary disks are the origins of planetary systems where dust and gas coalesce to form planets.
5. Observations from telescopes like Kepler have identified thousands of exoplanets in other planetary systems.

Review Questions

Related terms

Exoplanet:

A planet that orbits a star outside our solar system.

Protoplanetary Disk:

A rotating disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a young newly formed star.

Asteroid Belt:

A region of space between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids are found orbiting the Sun.