How can we talk about other solar systems, if the term "solar" refers only to our sun?

On Fri, 16 Apr 1999, Bryant wrote:

> Hi-
>
> With all the talk yesterday of the discovery of a new solar system, I
> have a question. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we have the
> only solar system (since the name of our sun is Sol)?

Technically, you are correct. The term "stellar systems" might seem more
appropriate, but astronomers use this term when referring to groups of
stars. The correct name for the recent discovery is "extrasolar
planetary system". I have a feeling, though, that the name "solar
system" is going to stick, just like the term "moon" can refer to either
the Moon or to the natural satellites of other planets, or like "galaxy"
can refer to the Milky Way or to other large systems of stars.

Thanks for writing, and you have sharp grammatical insight!

Sincerely,
Kurtis Williams

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