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[[Image:Solar_sys2.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Major features of the Solar System (not to scale): [[Sun|The Sun]], the [[Planet|Eight Planets]], the [[Asteroid Belt]] containing the dwarf planet [[Ceres]], outermost there is the dwarf planet [[Pluto]] (the dwarf planet [[Eris]] not shown), and a [[Comet]].]]

The special name we've given to our nice little [[Star|stellar]]/[[Planet|planetary]] system. It includes the [[Sun]] (technically named "Sol"), some number of [[Planet|planets]], a handful or two of [[Dwarf Planet|dwarf planets]], and thousands of other small bodies that answer to the will of the Sun's [[gravity]].

== History ==

The Solar System began its formation some 5 billion years ago as an over-dense region in a [[nebula]]. Once the central region was dense enough and hot enough to support [[Nuclear Fusion|nuclear fusion]], the Sun was born. We assume the whole region was well endowed with things like [[metals]] and [[Angular Momentum|angular momentum]]. A large rotating disk of [[dust]] and [[gas]] formed around the Sun, eventually forming larger clumps known as [[planetesimals]]. These planetesimals smashed each other to [http://www.officialsmithereens.com/ smithereens]. The leftovers of the collision, beeing in a similar orbit, coalesced into a planetesimal larger than either of the parents. Eventually, they became big enough to stick to each other when they collided, instead of flying apart. Over 5-10 million years these pieces had formed the planets we see today.

Some of the smaller bodies were expelled by king [[Jupiter]] at this point due to erratic behavior. They formed the [[Oort Cloud]], which is where most comets originate.


== A-List Membership ==

[[Sun]] | [[Mercury]] |[[Venus]] |[[Earth]] and the [[Moon, the|Moon]] | [[Mars]] | [[Asteroid Belt]]

[[Ceres]] | [[Jupiter]] | [[Saturn]] | [[Uranus]] | [[Neptune]] | [[Kuiper Belt]] | [[Pluto]]

[[Eris]] | [[Oort Cloud]]


== The View from Earth ==

Admitting that the Sun was in charge of the Solar System was a bit of a sticking point for some (see also [[Aristotle]], [[Ptolemy]] and [[Copernicus]]), but it would seem that it is the central figure influencing happenings involving Earth (do not see also: [[Astrology]]) and the rest of the things in our little corner of the [[Universe]].

Originally, [[Earthling|humans]] could only see the Sun, Moon, and the first five planets with our unaided [[Eyes|eye]]. With the invention of the [[telescope]], we've been able to see many more things, and now know of a couple more planets and all kinds of other rubble. We have explored many of the A-List Members listed above through manned and unmanned space missions (see also: [[Pioneer]], [[Voyager]] and [[New Horizons]] as examples).

== The Outside ==

Past [[Eris]] and the elusive [[Kuiper Belt Object|Kuiper Belt Objects]] lies the [[Oort Cloud]] and the even more elusive [[Heliopause|heliopause]], which is generally considered the substantive and (somewhat) visible border of our little corner of the galactic whole.  Here, the Sun's own strong [[Solar Wind|solar winds]] give way to the [[Interstellar Medium|interstellar medium]].


== [[Sun_is_binary_star_system|Binary System?]] ==
Many believe that the solar system is a binary system and that the sun has a [[Brown Dwarf|brown dwarf]] which is nearly invisible lying in the outer edges. However not many consider the theory to be credible.

== Future Plans ==

The Sun will die in another 5 billion years or so, possibly engulfing the Earth in the process. Enjoy life now, while you can. (Unless we can develop decent space travel and a good life support we're stuck here, so get used to it! Or unless the Vogons actually show up one day.)

== External Links ==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_System Solar System on Wikipedia]
Return to Solar System.
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