Earth and the solar system

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What is a dwarf planet?

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A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the sun, is spherical in shape, but is smaller than a planet and has not cleared its neighboring region of other objects.

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What is one key difference between dwarf planets and regular planets?

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Dwarf planets have large objects in their orbit, while regular planets have cleared their orbits of other debris.

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What is a comet?

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A comet is an icy celestial body that, when passing close to the sun, heats up and begins to release gases, forming a glowing coma and sometimes a tail.

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What causes the apparent motion of stars in the sky?

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The apparent motion of stars is primarily due to Earth's rotation on its axis.

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What is a limitation of models of the solar system?

Back

Models of the solar system often do not accurately represent the gravitational forces exerted by each planet.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

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What are orbital paths?

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Orbital paths are the trajectories that celestial objects follow as they move around a larger body, such as a planet orbiting a star.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

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What is the significance of gravitational force in the solar system?

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Gravitational force is the attraction between celestial bodies that keeps them in orbit around one another.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

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How do astronomers classify celestial bodies?

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Astronomers classify celestial bodies based on their size, shape, composition, and orbital characteristics.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

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What is the difference between a planet and a moon?

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A planet is a celestial body that orbits a star, while a moon is a natural satellite that orbits a planet.

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What is the role of the sun in the solar system?

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The sun is the central star of the solar system, providing light and heat, and its gravitational pull keeps the planets and other objects in orbit.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4