Our Solar SystemBy

Abigail Stivala

The Solar System

What is the Solar System???

Our Solar System is made up of an enormous sun and everything that travels around it. Our planet Earth is one of the eight known planets that orbit ( circle around ) the star we call the sun. Other small bodies called asteroids and comets can be found in our system also. If we were to put the planets in order, from the one closest to the sun, they would be Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

• Our Solar System has one Sun and eight planets. Some of the planets have moons and some do not. Some of the planets have many moons and some only have a few.

Planet Earth!!!

• Earth is the third planet. We call Earth our home planet. It is the shape of a sphere. Earth is near enough to the sun to benefit from its heat and light, but not so near that the heat burns. As far as we know, Earth is the only planet that has both air and water - two vital elements needed for life to exist.

Spinning Planet!!!• As Earth orbits the Sun, it also rotates ( spins )

around an invisible line, called its axis. This rotation gives us day and night. The part of the Earth that is turned towards the Sun has day, while the part that is turned away has night. Earth rotates towards the east, so the Sun also rises in the east and sets in the west. The Sun does not actually move around the Earth. Earth`s turning on its axis makes it look as if the Sun is moving. Earth makes a complete turn on its axis every 24 hours.

Earth`s Atmosphere!!!

• The atmosphere is a blanket of gases that surrounds the Earth. These gases trap the Sun`s warmth and light, keeping temperatures on Earth`s surface relatively steady. They also protect Earth from harmful rays from the sun. The atmosphere is divided into four main layers, according to temperature.

Solar System Guide!!!• The solar system is our Sun and everything

that orbits around it: the planets, their moons, the comets, asteroids and other space objects. The Sun is in the centre of our solar system. Our solar system is known to have eight planets, no two alike. The pull of gravity from the Sun holds the planets in their orbits and keeps them from floating off into space. All our planets are named after gods in Roman mythology. Scientists believe that our solar system is more than 5 billion years old.

Sun!!!• The sun is a star at the centre of our solar

system. It gives off light and heat. The Sun is bigger than any of the planets. The sun is made up of gas.

• How big across: The Sun is wider than 100 Earths.

Mercury!!!

• Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. Its grey surface is covered with craters. It would not be very nice to live on Mercury it is either very hot or very cold.

• Moons: 0

Venus!!!

• Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It has thick, yellow clouds made of acid. The surface has lots of volcanoes and mountains. Venus is called the twin planet of Earth because it is almost the same size.

• Moons: 0

Earth!!! • Earth is the third planet from the Sun. It has

water on the surface and air that we can breathe. Just over 70% of Earth is water. It is our home planet. Earth looks like a blue sphere.

• Moons: 1

Mars!!!• Mars is a rocky planet and is known as the red

planet because it is covered in a red dust. There are huge volcanoes and lots of craters on the surface. The highest mountain in the solar system is on Mars. It is called Olympus Mons.

• Moons: 2

Asteroid Belt!!!

• Asteroids are large rocks that orbit the Sun. Asteroids are made of rock and metal. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt which is between Mars and Jupiter.

Jupiter!!!

• Jupiter is the largest planet. It is made up mainly of liquid and gas. It is very cold. There is a storm that has lasted for many years on the great red spot.

• Moons:

Saturn!!!

• Saturn has beautiful rings which are made of ice, rock and dust. Like Jupiter it is a giant gas planet and it is very cold. It sis the second largest planet.

• Moons: 56 ( but some are very small )

Uranus!!!

• Uranus is a ball of gas with a rocky core and it is the only planet which spins on its side.

• Moons: 27 ( known moons )

Neptune!!!

• Neptune is a ball of gas with a metal core. It is surrounded by blue clouds and dark rings. It is named after the Roman god of the sea.

• Moons: 11

Pluto!!!

• Since 2006 Pluto is no longer considered to be a planet because it has been found that it is a ball of frozen gas. It is now called a dwarf planet.

Quiz.List the planets in order from closest to the sun to farthest.

1. Mercury

2. Venus3. Earth 4. Mars

5. Jupiter 6. Saturn

7. Uranus

8. Neptune

10. The Sun is the centre of our solar system.11. How many moons does Mercury have? 012. Earth is covered with large bodies of water.13. Mars is also known as the red planet?14. Venus and Earth are known to have active volcanoes.15. Uranus tilts over on its side.16. Pluto has a moon almost half the size of the planet.17. Jupiter is the biggest planet.18. The asteroid belt is between Mars and Jupiter.19. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system.