Astronomy Practice Exam

The term that refers to the arrangement of celestial bodies under the gravitational influence of the Sun is the Solar System. The Solar System consists of the Sun at its center and includes the planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects that are bound by gravity to orbit around the Sun. This gravitational influence is what keeps these celestial bodies in their respective orbits.

In contrast, the Universe encompasses all of space and time and includes everything that exists, such as galaxies, stars, and intergalactic space, making it a much broader term. A Constellation refers to a specific arrangement of stars as seen from Earth, often named for mythological figures or animals, and does not imply any gravitational relationship. A Galaxy is a massive system that consists of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, with our Solar System being just one tiny part of the Milky Way Galaxy. Thus, the Solar System specifically describes the local arrangement of celestial bodies influenced by the Sun's gravity.