The Solar System

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What is the Solar System?

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The Solar System is a collection of celestial bodies, including the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets, that are bound by gravity.

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Why is the Solar System a subject of interest for astronomers?

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The Solar System is of interest because it is constantly changing, providing new phenomena to study and understand.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

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What is the main celestial body in the Solar System?

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The Sun is the main celestial body in the Solar System, providing light and heat to the planets.

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What are the eight planets in the Solar System?

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The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

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What is a dwarf planet?

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A dwarf planet is a celestial body that is smaller than a planet and does not have the same gravitational pull as a planet.

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What is the largest moon in the Solar System?

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Ganymede is the largest moon in the Solar System, orbiting Jupiter.

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What defines a planet in the Solar System?

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A planet is defined as a celestial body that orbits the Sun, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris.

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What are asteroids?

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Asteroids are small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

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What role do comets play in the Solar System?

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Comets are icy bodies that release gas or dust, forming a glowing coma and tail when they approach the Sun.

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How do the inner planets differ from the outer planets?

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Inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are rocky and smaller, while outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are gas giants and larger.