How is the solar system sometimes referred to as the sun's family?

Answer 1

The solar system is sometimes referred to as the "Sun's family" because it consists of the Sun at its center, along with all the celestial bodies that are gravitationally bound to it. These celestial bodies include eight major planets (such as Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), their moons, asteroids, comets, and other smaller objects.

Answer 2

The only planets known to date are gravitationally linked to parent stars.

The term "family" is used because it is a familiar term that suggests a close bond between the star and any body orbiting it.

Stars are considered "parents" because they have the most influence.

Planets are considered to be "daughters" of stars and "sisters" of other planets in the system (the female term is generally used).

On this basis natural satellites would be considered "Grand daughters" but this is generally not used.

For example

The sun is our parent star. Jupiter, mars and Uranus are our planetary sisters.

Epsilon Erandi B is the daughter planet to the star Epsilon Erandi. Which are in a different family to the solar system.

The planet Gilese 581C is the daugter of Gilese 581 and the sister of the planet Gilese 581B and is in a different family system to both Earth and Epsilon Erandi.

Answer 3

because all the planets are surrounding the sun - and ciruling it, which is why there called the suns family