What is a solar system?

A solar system is defined as a system that consists of a star, typically a sun, along with the celestial bodies that orbit around it, which can include planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. In our own case, the Sun is the central star of the Solar System, and it exerts a gravitational pull that keeps the planets, including Earth, in orbit around it.

This definition highlights the key relationship within a solar system: the gravitational influence of the star on the objects that surround it. This setup is fundamental to understanding how celestial mechanics works, as the orbits and positions of planets and other bodies are determined by their interactions with the star.

Other options describe different astronomical structures. For instance, a collection of planets around a moon would misrepresent the roles of stars and moons within celestial systems. A system of stars with no planets does not fit the traditional model of a solar system, as planets are a fundamental component. Lastly, referring to a cluster of galaxies implies a much larger scale, dealing with groups of galaxies rather than the smaller, defined structures of solar systems. Therefore, the definition that encompasses a star and its orbiting celestial bodies captures the essence of what a solar system truly is.