The Solar System

The Solar System consists of the Sun and everything gravitationally bound to it, including eight planets—like Earth, Mars, and Jupiter—as well as moons, asteroids, comets, and other small objects. The planets orbit the Sun in paths called orbits, which are determined by the Sun’s gravity. The system formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a giant cloud of gas and dust collapsing under gravity. The Sun provides the energy that supports life on Earth and drives weather and climate. Overall, the Solar System is a vast, dynamic environment with diverse celestial bodies, all held together by gravity.