Talk:Planetary system
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[edit] Sweet spots
I'd like to see some information about gravitational "sweet spots" and the formation of planets, but lack the expertise. - RJ 6/29/05
Is "star system" an official term for planetary systems as well, or is this just a science fiction term? Either way, it would probably be useful to denote the answer.--Mitsukai 2 July 2005 00:51 (UTC)
[edit] Star system, stellar system, solar system, planetary system ...
Hello! I've noted recent statements about why this distinction has been so characterised; however (perhaps I'm missing this), I do not see any cited references (particularly from astronomical references) substantiating these distinctions. Please corroborate and verify. Thanks! E Pluribus Anthony 09:19, 1 November 2005 (UTC)
Hello again! Further to my prior request (unanswered) and after some digging, my search for authoritative definitions for some of these terms has born some fruit:
- solar system - this is pretty clear-cut:
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- Solar System – A group of celestial bodies comprising the Sun and the large number of bodies that are bound gravitationally to the Sun and revolve in approximately elliptical orbits around it....
- — Collins Dictionary of Astronomy (ISBN 0-00-710297-6), p. 382
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- Solar System – The collective name for the Sun and all the bodies that orbit it. It includes the nine major planets and over 100 known satellites, plus countless asteroids, comets, and meteoroids....
- — Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy (ISBN 0-19-860513-7), p. 420
- stellar system – "A gravitational system of stars."
- — The McGraw Hill Dictionary of Astronomy (ISBN 0071410473), p. 125
- This definition implies it can be correctly used for systems with more than one star, e.g., binary systems, with their constituents. Whether it can be used for one star alone and associated bodies is not wholly clear, in which case star system is likely more appropriate; however, a logical assumption can also be made that stellar, being an adjectival form of star (or stars, as per Oxford English Dictionary), can be used in a similar way to solar when referring to the Sun (Sol).
- star system – Strangely, I could not (yet) find printed references/definitions for this term; see solar system and stellar system
- planetary system – ... A system of celestial bodies in orbit around a star including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and dust.
- — The Universal Book of Astronomy, from the Andromeda Galaxy to the Zone of Avoidance (ISBN 0471265691), p. 394
- ... A system of planets and other bodies, such as comets and meteroids, that orbits a star. The Sun and its planetary system together comprise the solar system.
- — Collins, p. 314
- Note the distinction between solar and planetary system, viz. the Sun (or central star). This clearly does not include the central star(s) as part of the system, so references to the stars and their planets (in an extrasolar context, in toto) can more correctly be dubbed as star system or stellar system, and even improperly, as 'solar system' (e.g., as commonly referred to, like in Serenity).
In some respects, some of these clearly differ with definitions and interpretations already presented in the appropriate Wp articles. Based on this information and unless there are reputable opinions/citations to the contrary, I will be making these appropriate editions to the relevant articles. Thanks! E Pluribus Anthony 01:21, 6 November 2005 (UTC)
- Adding to the above, well, somewhat, one sentence claims: "Our own planetary system, which contains Earth, together with the Sun comprise a unique star system: the solar system.". I'm pretty sure nobody can provide a proper source about our system being unique, at least more unique than any other. I suspect it was supposed to say it has a unique name, but so does the Alpha Centauri system. The solar system article's "Although the term "solar system" is frequently applied to other star systems and the planetary systems which may comprise them, it should strictly refer to our system specifically" is closer to the truth. I'll leave it be for now, considering the above critique. Retodon8 22:45, 14 November 2005 (UTC)
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- Hey there; thanks for your note. I'm all for clarifying and editing thereof: the desired aim of the sentence you cited is to point out that (our) solar system is a unique star/stellar system amongst many, as "solar" should only be used when referring to the Sun and objects in its vicinity. I guess there is a bit of duality in all of these terms: many stars may have planetary systems, but none precisely like ours (e.g., life as yet identified, etc.). I'm sure there are a few citations that attest to that. Make sense?
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- Besides: some of the lengthy discussions I've been involved in recently have had a similar effect as to receiving a shot in the solar plexus. :) Thoughts? Thanks! E Pluribus Anthony 22:54, 14 November 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Pluto
Pluto should still be considered a planet. I think so because it has been a planet ever since it was founded. Does anyone agree?? --72.66.186.22 17:35, 28 May 2007 Pluto Saver
No. That's a terrible reason. It's a ball of ice and there's probably dozens, if not hundreds or thousands more in the Kuyper Belt and Oort Cloud. Don't get sentimental over it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 137.138.77.33 (talk) 15:10, 30 April 2008 (UTC)
