Objects in Space (Edexcel IGCSE Physics)
Exam board Pearson Edexcel · IGCSEUpdated 2026-07-02
Planets, stars & galaxies
Spec point —
8.2· know that: • the universe is a large collection of billions of galaxies • a galaxy is a large collection of billions of stars • our solar system is in the Milky Way galaxy.
Planets, stars & galaxies
The Universe
- The Universe is defined as A large collection of billions of galaxies
- It is also the name given to the entirety of space
Galaxies
- A galaxy is defined as A large collection of billions of stars
- Stars are large astronomical objects such as the Sun
The Solar System
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Stars may be a part of a planetary system
- In a planetary system, planets and other astronomical objects orbit around a star at the centre
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Our Solar System is in the Milky Way galaxy
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The Sun is at the centre of our Solar System
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Our planet, the Earth, is the third of eight planets in our Solar System
Hierarchy of the Solar System
The Universe is a large collection of galaxies and a galaxy is a large collection of stars. The Sun is a star at the centre of our Solar System in the Milky Way galaxy
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