Space & The Solar System

Front

What is the Solar System?

Back

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

Front

What are the inner planets?

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The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are rocky and closer to the Sun.

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What are the outer planets?

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The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are gas giants and are farther from the Sun.

Front

What is a planet?

Back

A planet is a large celestial body that orbits a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of other debris.

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What is a star?

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A star is a huge ball of superheated gas that produces light and heat through nuclear fusion.

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What is an asteroid?

Back

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

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What is a comet?

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A comet is a small icy body that, when passing close to the Sun, heats up and releases gas and dust, forming a glowing coma and tail.

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What is the difference between a planet and a moon?

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A planet orbits a star, while a moon orbits a planet.

Front

What is the belt of asteroids?

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The belt of asteroids is a region in space between Mars and Jupiter where many small rocky bodies orbit the Sun.

Front

What can we learn about stars from their color?

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The color of a star can tell us about its temperature; for example, blue stars are hotter than red stars.