Solar System
The solar system consists of the Sun and all the celestial objects that are gravitationally bound to it. This includes the eight planets, their moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and other small bodies.
Sun
The Sun is a star at the center of the solar system. It is a nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma, with internal convective motion that generates a magnetic field via a dynamo process.
Planets
There are eight recognized planets in the solar system. In order of their distance from the Sun, they are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets vary in size, composition, and atmospheric conditions.
Moons
Many of the planets in the solar system have moons, also known as natural satellites. For example, Earth has one moon, while Jupiter has over 70 moons. These moons vary in size and characteristics.
Dwarf Planets
In addition to the eight planets, there are five recognized dwarf planets in the solar system. These include Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres. These objects are similar to planets but have not cleared their orbital path of other debris.
Asteroids and Comets
Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are icy bodies that also orbit the Sun, and when they come close to the Sun, they develop a visible coma or tail.
Study Guide
- What is the Sun and what is its role in the solar system?
- List the eight recognized planets in the solar system in order of their distance from the Sun.
- What are moons and how do they differ from planets?
- Name three dwarf planets in the solar system.
- What are asteroids and where are they mostly found in the solar system?
- Describe what happens to comets when they come close to the Sun.
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