The Solar System

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What are the inner planets?

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The inner planets are the four planets closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are primarily composed of rock and metal.

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What are the outer planets?

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The outer planets, also known as gas giants, include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are mostly made up of gases and are much larger than the inner planets.

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What is a dwarf planet?

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A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun and is similar to a planet but does not clear its orbital path of other debris. There are five recognized dwarf planets in the Solar System.

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What is a comet?

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A comet is a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when close to the Sun, displays a bright head and a long tail.

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What is an asteroid?

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An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

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What is the main difference between planets and stars?

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Planets orbit stars and do not produce their own light, while stars generate light and heat through nuclear fusion.

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What is an astronomical unit (AU)?

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An astronomical unit (AU) is a standard unit of measurement used in astronomy to describe distances within the Solar System, equal to the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, approximately 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers.

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How many moons does Earth have?

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Earth has one moon, commonly referred to as 'the Moon'.

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What is the largest planet in the Solar System?

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Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, known for its Great Red Spot and many moons.

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What is the Kuiper Belt?

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The Kuiper Belt is a region of the Solar System beyond Neptune, populated with many small icy bodies, including dwarf planets like Pluto.

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