The sun's gravitational pull holds the earth and other planets in their
orbits, just as the planets' gravitational pull keeps their moons in orbit
around them.
| NSES Content Standard D
Earth and Space Science: Earth in the Solar System Grades 5-8, page 161 Gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and governs the rest of the motion in the solar system. Gravity alone holds us to the earth's surface and explains the phenomena of the tides. |