The Solar SystemThe Solar SystemScienceScience

Third GradeThird Grade

The solar system is the sun The solar system is the sun and the objects that orbit and the objects that orbit

around it.around it.

The sun is the center of the The sun is the center of the solar system. It is a star.solar system. It is a star.

PlanetsPlanets

A planet is a large body of rock or A planet is a large body of rock or gas that orbits the sun.gas that orbits the sun.

The solar system has nine The solar system has nine planets, including Earth.planets, including Earth.

PlanetsPlanets

MercuryMercury VenusVenus EarthEarth

MarsMars JupiterJupiter SaturnSaturn

UranusUranus NeptuneNeptune PlutoPluto

Inner PlanetsInner Planets

1. Mercury1. Mercury2. Venus2. Venus3. Earth3. Earth4. Mars4. MarsThey are the four planets closest to the They are the four planets closest to the

sun.sun.

Inner PlanetsInner PlanetsThey all have rocky surfaces, They all have rocky surfaces, and they are warmer than the and they are warmer than the

outer planets.outer planets.

Earth is different from the Earth is different from the other inner planets. It has a other inner planets. It has a watery surface. It is the only watery surface. It is the only planet with a lot of oxygen in planet with a lot of oxygen in its atmosphere. Earth has its atmosphere. Earth has plant life and animal life. plant life and animal life.

EarthEarth

Outer PlanetsOuter Planets

1. Jupiter1. Jupiter2. Saturn2. Saturn3. Uranus3. Uranus4. Neptune4. Neptune5. Pluto5. Pluto

Outer Planets are made Outer Planets are made mostly of frozen gases. Their mostly of frozen gases. Their surfaces are colder than the surfaces are colder than the inner planets because they inner planets because they

are farther away from the sun. are farther away from the sun. Most outer planets have Most outer planets have

many moons.many moons.

PlutoPlutois different from other outer is different from other outer planets. It is the smallest planets. It is the smallest planet in the solar system.planet in the solar system.

Other objects in the solar Other objects in the solar systemsystem

Asteroids are chunks of rock or metal that Asteroids are chunks of rock or metal that orbit the sun.orbit the sun.

Comets are large balls of ice and dust that Comets are large balls of ice and dust that orbit the sun.orbit the sun.