What Is the Solar System?
The Solar System is made up of the Sun and everything that moves around it. The Sun is a giant ball of hot gas that gives us light and heat. Without it, life on Earth would not exist.
Eight planets, many moons, asteroids, comets, and space dust all orbit the Sun. These objects are held in place by the Sun’s gravity.
The Eight Planets
The planets are divided into two groups:
Inner planets:
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
→ They are rocky and smaller.
Outer planets:
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
→ They are gas giants (except Uranus and Neptune, which are called ice giants) and much bigger.
Each planet takes a different amount of time to orbit the Sun. For example, Earth takes 365 days, while Neptune takes 165 years!
Moons and Other Objects
Most planets have moons. Earth has one, but Jupiter has over 90!
There are also asteroids (rocky objects), mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and comets — icy bodies that leave long tails when they get close to the Sun.
Why Is the Solar System Important?
The Solar System helps us understand our place in the universe. Studying it teaches us about how planets form, how life began, and what conditions are needed for life. It also inspires new technologies and exploration. Who knows — one day, humans may visit other planets! ✨
[ Key Vocabulary ]
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Solar System | The Sun and all the objects that orbit it |
| Orbit | The path an object takes around another object |
| Gravity | The force that pulls things toward one another |
| Asteroid | A small rocky object in space |
| Comet | An icy object with a tail when near the Sun |
| Gas giant | A large planet made mostly of gases |
[ Review Questions ]
1️⃣ What is at the center of the Solar System?
2️⃣ Name the inner planets.
3️⃣ What is an asteroid? Where is the asteroid belt?
4️⃣ What do comets have when they are close to the Sun?
5️⃣ Why is studying the Solar System important?
