The Sun, the central star of our solar system, accounts for 99.86% of its total mass and provides heat and light through nuclear fusion.
There are eight planets in our solar system, categorized as terrestrials (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) and gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn) and ice giants (Uranus, Neptune).
Dwarf planets like Pluto and Ceres are smaller than traditional planets but larger than asteroids, with around 200 estimated in the solar system.
Celestial Companions
Moons, or natural satellites, orbit planets and asteroids, influencing climatic conditions and providing stability; Earth's moon takes 27.3 days to orbit.
Asteroids, minor planets left from the solar system's formation, populate the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, with over 150 million estimated.
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