Which term best defines the Sun together with the celestial bodies gravitationally bound to it?

Which term best defines the Sun together with the celestial bodies gravitationally bound to it?

• A. Solar System
• B. Galaxy
• C. Universe
• D. Constellation

Answer: (A)

Gravitational binding around the Sun creates a defined, self-contained system. The Sun and all objects kept in orbit by its gravity—planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other small bodies—together form what we call the Solar System. This term specifically names the bound collection of the Sun and its orbiting bodies. The other options refer to much larger or unrelated groupings: a galaxy is a vast collection of many stars and their own systems; the universe includes all matter and energy everywhere; a constellation is just a pattern of stars as seen from Earth, not a bound system with the Sun.

Gravitational binding around the Sun creates a defined, self-contained system. The Sun and all objects kept in orbit by its gravity—planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other small bodies—together form what we call the Solar System. This term specifically names the bound collection of the Sun and its orbiting bodies.

The other options refer to much larger or unrelated groupings: a galaxy is a vast collection of many stars and their own systems; the universe includes all matter and energy everywhere; a constellation is just a pattern of stars as seen from Earth, not a bound system with the Sun.