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Solar System Definition

The solar system consists of the Sun and objects orbiting it due to gravity. For example, Earth orbits the Sun.

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The Solar System

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Our solar system only consists of one star, the Sun.
  • The solar system consists of 8 planets along with smaller bodies like moons and asteroids.
  • Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in our solar system in 2006.

Why Do We Need To Know About Solar System

Learning about the solar system helps us understand the universe and why it’s important to study. This knowledge is key for careers in astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration. It helps us keep an eye on dangerous asteroids and plan trips to other planets like Mars.

You don’t have to be a professional to enjoy learning about the solar system. Anyone can use astronomy apps and telescopes to check out the night sky, find planets, and stars. This makes more people interested in our universe and leads to new discoveries in space, offering even more chances for learning and jobs in studying planets outside our solar system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to use a scale model to describe the solar system?
So that we are better able to understand the actual distances between and sizes of the planets. Many models misrepresent this mathematical information.
Describe the only star in our solar system.
The only star in our solar system is the Sun which contains 99.8% of all the solar system’s mass. It is an exploding ball of hot gases.
How do scientists classify whether or not an object is a planet?
In order to be a planet, it must: 1. Orbit the Sun 2. Be massive enough to be round due to gravity, 3. Have cleared the neighborhood around its orbit of other objects
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