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Solar System
Map of the Solar System
A schematic map of the Solar System, showing the relative arrangement of the planets' orbits around the Sun. Note that the planets themselves are not drawn to scale here, and are placed arbitrarily in their orbits. For the planets' current positions in the sky, see the Planet Wheel.
A system that consists of the Sun, eight major planets, three minor planets, sixty or more attendant moons, and a huge variety of asteroids, comets and other objects.

Relative Galactic Position of the Solar System
The Sun lies in the main disc of the Galaxy, about 30,000 light years from the central Core. The Solar System is on the edge of a dense region known as the Orion Arm.
The Solar System to scale: the sizes and distances in this window are all shown to scale. Use the scrollbar on the right of this window to explore the planets (and wide empty spaces) of the Solar System. (Distances shown are in Astronomical Units from the Sun).
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