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answers:
Elana say: The star that Earth and related planets orbit around is called "Sol". We refer to the system of planets and Sol as the Solar system, where the "Sol" in "Solar" is that star.
If we orbited around a star called "Mel", we'd probably call it the Melar system.
So, how many stars exist called "Sol"? Since humanity named it, well before we even had the concept of other stars, there is only one (unless somebody named theirs "Sol" by dumb luck).
Are there other systems of planets capable of sustaining life somewhere in the Universe? Very likely.
But they won't be called "Solar systems".
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Tom say: A star with planets going around it is a "Solar" system---Most all stars have planets. It would be hard for them not to. Our star / Planetary system is called the "Solar" system because our central star is called "Sol" in different language.
Do NOT confuse Star systems with GALAXIES.----Galaxies are huge groups of stars (and their systems) Like "Andromeda" or our own "Milky Way".--Millions of light years apart While "Solar" (star) systems are the individual stars with their planets within them.
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Art say: This is the only solar system in the Universe, the reason being we have the only Star named Sol.
There are trillions (understatement) of Stellar (Star) Systems in the Universe.
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choko_canyon say: There are many, many solar systems in the universe. A solar system is just a sun, with various planets, planetoids, asteroids and other bodies in orbit around it.
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poldi say: A solar system is a star and the planets and other objects that orbit that star.