Background for planet

planet

/ˈplænət/ /ˈplænɪt/

Illustration planet - Image 1

noun

Each of the seven major bodies which move relative to the fixed stars in the night sky—the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Examples :

"The ancient Greeks studied the planets, including Mercury and Mars, to understand the night sky. "

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Illustration planet - Image 1

Illustration planet - Image 2

noun

A body which orbits the Sun directly and is massive enough to be in hydrostatic equilibrium (effectively meaning a spheroid) and to dominate its orbit; specifically, the eight major bodies of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. (Pluto was considered a planet until 2006 and has now been reclassified as a dwarf planet.)

Examples :

"Our solar system has eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. "

astronomy space science essential

Illustration planet - Image 1

Illustration planet - Image 2

noun

A large body which directly orbits any star (or star cluster) but which has not attained nuclear fusion.

Examples :

"Jupiter is a giant planet in our solar system. "

astronomy space science essential

Illustration planet - Image 1

Illustration planet - Image 2

noun

In phrases such as the planet, this planet, sometimes refers to the Earth.

Examples :

"My family loves visiting this planet. "

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