The Solar
System is made up of the Sun and the celestial bodies that revolve around
it. The Sun is a star. The Sun is much bigger than any planet. The Sun
is very important for life on Earth because it gives out light and heat.
There are
different types of celestial bodies: planets, satellites, comets and asteroids.
There are
eight planets which orbit the Sun. These planets can be classified into
two groups:
- Interior planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. They are small and rocky. They receive more heat and light from the Sun
- Exterior planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. They are larger than the interior planets. They are made up of gases.
Satellites are
celestial bodies that orbit the planets. The Moon is the Earth’s
satellite.
Comets are
celestial bodies that orbit the Sun. Comets are made up of ice, dust and gases.
Comets have a bright tail that reflects light.
Asteroids are
celestial bodies that orbit the Sun. Asteroids are smaller than planets. Most
of the asteroids are in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids
can be round or can have an irregular shape.
Stars are
celestial bodies. Stars are spheres. Stars give out light and heat. Stars have
different properties such as temperature, size and luminosity. From the Earth,
we can see the stars like points of light in the sky because they are really
far away.
Constellations are groups of stars. Most constellations have names
from mithology because they look like people, animals or objects.
Nebulae are
gas clouds. Nebulae reflect the light given out by the stars next to them.
Galaxies are
huge groups of stars, gases and dust. There are three types of galaxies:
elliptical, spiral or irregular.
Our Solar
System is in a galaxy called the Milky Way. It is a spiral galaxy. The
Sun is not at the centre of the Milky Way.
