Talk:Solar System

Why no link to "Star system"?

Why is there no link to the general Wikipedia page Star system? Luka1184 (talk) 06:40, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

Technically a star system is a group of stars. The header does link to planetary system, which then links to star system. Serendi^podous 08:36, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

Error to correct

Under the 'Neptune' section, "furthest" needs to be changed to "farthest" Broadestsword (talk) 06:54, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

"NASA describes the solar system as a planetary system"

And NASA is wrong. NASA has a long history of howlers on its website. I don't see why we have to give credence to their mistake. Serendi^podous 15:25, 27 June 2026 (UTC)

To me it's nuanced, and not exactly a "howler". Dictionaries, and the IAU, use the same definition. But it might be a better match to say, "NASA describes the solar system as including the Sun and its planetary system." Praemonitus (talk) 16:02, 27 June 2026 (UTC)

Old English name for Venus

I'm considering uploading a new version of the Solar System diagram (a derivative of CactiStaccingCrane's image) to introduce the historical Old English name for Venus, [Ēarendel], in a small font beneath the standard nomenclature.

Aside from Earth, Venus uniquely possessed a native Germanic name in Old English, a linguistic detail connecting to the exceptionally distant star WHL0137-LS (Earendel). This addition leaves the astronomical focus intact.

Prior to updating the file displayed in the article, I wanted to check here first. Would you be okay with adding this subtle historical label, or do you prefer keeping the diagram strictly limited to modern scientific names? I'd appreciate your feedback! Omarius257 (talk) 10:51, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

If you have reliable sources that establish this connection as significant in the context of "Solar System", sure. But to be honest this seems unlikely. The word does not even appear in Venus; I've never heard of this. Note that: Images must be significant and relevant in the topic's context, not primarily decorative. Johnjbarton (talk) 16:42, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

The Exeter Book, a 10th-century anthology of Anglo-Saxon poetry, mentions Ēarendel by name (albeit in Old English), it can be viewed here in the Exeter Library's website:https://theexeterbook.exeter.ac.uk/viewer.html?imageset=single&image=9v

Furthermore, the name Ēarendel can be found in the Wikipedia article titled "Aruvandil." It discusses the various meanings of the name, one of them being "The Morning Star," which we use when speaking of the planet Venus in the dawn. Here's the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurvandill Omarius257 (talk) 17:17, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

That's completely unnecessary and will give an undue weight to a minor fact (even if it's confirmed). Artem.G (talk) 17:58, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

The diagrams I've uploaded rely on a clear visual hierarchy. Standard names remain large and prominent, while secondary/archaic names are placed underneath in brackets and/or parentheses in a much smaller font. Because the standard labels aren't being overshadowed, there is no risk of confusion or undue weight overall. Omarius257 (talk) 18:17, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

Even so, it doesn't belong. Even if confirmed, it's a minor factoid that might maybe perhaps be worth including in the article on Venus, but absolutely has no place in an article about the Solar System. Tarl N. (discuss) 18:24, 5 July 2026 (UTC)

Very well, I appreciate your assistance. Thank you all for the advice. Omarius257 (talk) 18:27, 5 July 2026 (UTC)