The Solar System

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the sun, believed to be chunks of rocks and ice that never clumped together to form a planet.

Front

Which celestial bodies are part of our solar system?

Back

The moons of Jupiter, Pluto, and comets are part of our solar system, but stars other than our sun are not.

Front

How far is Earth from the sun in Astronomical Units (AU)?

Back

Earth is 1 AU away from the sun.

Front

What is the distance of 1 AU in kilometers?

Back

1 AU is about 150 million kilometers.

Front

Where is the asteroid belt located?

Back

The asteroid belt is located between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is a dwarf planet?

Back

A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the sun and is similar to a planet but does not clear its orbit of other debris.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

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

Front

What is the largest planet in our solar system?

Back

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.

Front

What is the main component of the sun?

Back

The sun is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.

Front

What are the inner planets?

Back

The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, which are rocky and closer to the sun.