What is a solar system?
Solar System
The Solar System[lower-alpha 1] is the gravitationally bound system of the Sun and the objects that orbit it, either directly or indirectly.[lower-alpha 2] Of the objects that orbit the Sun directly, the largest are the eight planets,[lower-alpha 3] with the remainder being smaller objects, such as the five dwarf planets and small Solar System bodies. Of the objects that orbit the Sun indirectly—the moons—two are larger than the smallest planet, Mercury.[lower-alpha 4]
Solar System
Most large objects in orbit around the Sun lie near the plane of Earth's orbit, known as the ecliptic. The planets are very close to the ecliptic, whereas comets and Kuiper belt objects are frequently at significantly greater angles to it.[22][23] All the planets, and most other objects, orbit the Sun in the same direction that the Sun is rotating (counter-clockwise, as viewed from above Earth's north pole).[24] There are exceptions, such as Halley's Comet.