what is a satellite? Are planets Satellites?

[Lily]

I have to write a report about a satellite and i wanted to write it about Neptune and i was wondering if Neptune is a satellite?

 

[roberty]

Yes, it is in orbit around the sun.

 

[zotdirector]

Technically, a satellite is anything orbiting another body. So Mars has 2 moons which are its satellites. Yes Neptune would be since it orbits the sun therefore you could say that Neptune is a satellite of the Sun.

 

[Picho]

i think this kink might help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_satellite

 

[lindajune]

Planets are planets, satellites are satellites. They are not the same thing and the words are not interchangeable.

Satellites are small objects that orbit a larger one. Moons are satellites of their planets.
Neptune is a planet, not a satellite. It has 13 satellites (moons) orbiting it - the largest is Triton.

 

[Picho1]

i think this kink might help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_satellite

 

[snowy]

A natural satellite or moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called the primary. Technically, the term natural satellite could refer to a planet orbiting a star, or a dwarf galaxy orbiting a major galaxy, but it is normally synonymous with moon and used to identify non-artificial satellites of planets, dwarf planets, and minor planets.

i think this website would help u
http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/