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According to the scientific consensus, the '''Solar System''' consists of the [[Sun]] and the astronomical objects gravitationally bound in orbit around it. Some scientists claim that all of this was formed from the collapse of a giant "molecular cloud" approximately 4.6 billion years ago.

According to the scientific consensus, the '''Solar System''' consists of the [[Sun]] and the astronomical objects gravitationally bound in orbit around it. Some scientists claim that the Solar System was formed from the collapse of a giant "molecular cloud" approximately 4.6 billion years ago. [[Creation scientists]] reject this and argue it was created by [[God]] around 4,000 BC.

 

[[Creation scientists]] reject this and have shown it was made by [[God]] less than 10,000 years ago.  

==Planets==

==Planets==

A [[planet]] is defined as an object that orbits the sun, is massive enough that its own gravity pulls it into a nearly round shape, and is dominant enough to clear away objects in its vicinity.<ref>http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/planetsf-20060824.html</ref>  There are eight planets in the solar system. They are, in order of increasing distance from the sun:{{fact}}

According to the 2006 definition, a [[planet]] is an object that orbits the sun, is massive enough that its own gravity pulls it into a nearly round shape, and is dominant enough to clear away objects in its vicinity.<ref>https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/planetsf-20060824.html</ref>  According to that definition, there are eight planets in the solar system. They are, in order of increasing distance from the sun:

*[[Mercury]]

*[[Mercury]]

*[[Venus]]

*[[Venus]]

*[[Neptune]]

*[[Neptune]]

The first four planets are [[terrestrial planet]]s, the last four planets are Jovian planets.  Terrestrial planets are small in size, have high densities, and consist of rocky materials. Jovian planets are large in size, have low densities, and consist of gaseous materials. In some cases, Uranus and Neptune are known as ice giants due to the large presence of gases heavier than hydrogen and helium.  

The first four planets are [[terrestrial planet]]s, the last four planets are Jovian planets.  Terrestrial planets are small in size, have high densities, and consist of rocky materials. Jovian planets are large in size, have low densities, and consist of gaseous materials. In some cases, Uranus and Neptune are known as ice giants due to the large presence of gases they have, heavier than hydrogen and helium.

 

Since 2016, a ninth planet or even several trans-Neptunian planets are being considered likely.

==Dwarf planets==

==Dwarf planets==

A [[dwarf planet]] is an object that orbits the sun and has a round shape, and was defined in 2006. The crucial difference between a planet and a dwarf planet is that a dwarf planet is not large enough to clear the neighborhood of its orbit. Currently recognized dwarf planets are:<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/dwarf-planet</ref>

A [[dwarf planet]] is an object that orbits the sun and has a round shape and was defined in 2006. The crucial difference between a planet and a dwarf planet is that a dwarf planet is not large enough to clear the neighborhood of its orbit. Currently recognized dwarf planets are:<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/dwarf-planet</ref>

*[[Pluto]]^{[[#Note|[1]]]}

*[[Pluto]]^{[[#Note|[1]]]}

*[[Eris]]

*[[Eris]]

==Asteroids==

==Asteroids==

[[Asteroid]]s are irregularly shaped chunks of rocks in the solar system.  They exist mostly in 2 places:

[[Asteroid]]s are irregularly shaped chunks of rocks in the solar system.  They exist mostly in 3 places:

*The [[asteroid belt]], which is between the orbits of [[Mars]] and [[Jupiter]]

*The [[asteroid belt]], which is between the orbits of [[Mars]] and [[Jupiter]]

*The [[Kuiper belt]], which shares its orbit with [[Pluto]]

*The [[Kuiper Belt|Kuiper belt]], which shares its orbit with [[Pluto]]

==Comets==

==Comets==

== External links ==

== External links ==

*[http://www.solarviews.com/eng/terms.htm Glossary]

*[http://www.solarviews.com/eng/terms.htm Glossary]

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Milky Way Galaxy]]

*[[Milky Way Galaxy]]

*[[Counterexamples to an Old Earth]]

*[[Counterexamples to an Old Earth]]