| The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002. |
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| planet |
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| An object in orbit around a star. A planet does not give off its own light; rather, it shines by reflecting sunlight. Planets close to the sun are rocky. Those farther out consist mostly of gases and liquids. | 1 |
| ‡ There are nine major planets, including the Earth, in orbit around our sun, along with many asteroids. (See solar system.) | 2 |
| ‡ Scientists have discovered evidence for the existence of many planets that circle other stars. | 3 |
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| | | The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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