Our solar system is a gravitationally bound neighborhood consisting of one star (the Sun), eight major planets, five officially named dwarf planets, and millions of smaller celestial bodies. It formed roughly 4.6 billion years ago from the gravitational collapse of a giant interstellar gas and dust cloud. Located in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way galaxy, the entire system travels at about 515,000 mph (828,000 kph) around the galactic center.
Watch these educational overviews to see the layout, scales, and distinct environments of our cosmic neighborhood: Solar System 101 | National Geographic 38M views · 8 years ago YouTube · National Geographic Our Solar System: A Tour of Our Cosmic Neighborhood 1K views · 4 months ago YouTube · Sciesmic Exploring Our Solar System! Science For Kids 79K views · 1 year ago YouTube · National Science Foundation News The Central Powerhouse
The Sun: Holds 99.8% of all mass in the entire system. Its immense gravitational pull keeps every planet, asteroid, and comet locked in orbit. It generates light and heat through nuclear fusion in its core. The Terrestrial Planets (Inner Rock Worlds)
These planets are characterized by solid, rocky surfaces, high densities, and few or no moons. Solar System Exploration – NASA Science
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