Background for planets

planets

/ˈplænɪts/

Illustration planets - 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 :

"Ancient astronomers observed that seven planets – the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – moved differently than the fixed stars. "

astronomy space world mythology

Illustration planets - Image 1

Illustration planets - 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 :

"In science class, we are learning about the planets in our solar system. "

astronomy space science

Illustration planets - Image 1

Illustration planets - Image 2

noun

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

Examples :

"The solar system contains eight planets that orbit the sun. "

astronomy space science

Illustration planets - Image 1

Illustration planets - Image 2

noun

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

Examples :

""We need to take better care of the planets because it's the only home we have." "

astronomy world space