Solar System vs. Galaxy vs. Universe!
What is the difference between the terms: Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe?
Answer: Basically SIZE is the biggest distinction.
Here are some definitions from a dictionary:
Solar System: Consists of the Sun, and everything bound to it by gravity. This includes the 8 planets and their moons, the asteroids, the dwarf planets, all the Kuiper belt objects, the meteoroids, comets and interplanetary dust.
Galaxy: large system of stars held together by mutual gravitation and isolated from similar systems by vast regions of space. The Milky Way measures about 100,000 light-years across, and is thought to contain 200 billion stars.
Universe: the totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space; the cosmos; macrocosm.
So to sum it up:
- We live on planet Earth which is part of our local Solar System.
- Our Solar System includes the Sun and everything that orbits the Sun.
- Our Sun, is just one Star in the Milky Way Galaxy.
- The Milky Way Galaxy is just one Galaxy in the Universe.
Next:
- Find out how many Galaxies are in the Universe.
- Look at super neat photos of Galaxies.
- Become a galaxy hunter from the comfort of your own computer!
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