“The Solar System” takes its name from the Latin word for sun, “Solis.” At its core is the sun, the central powerhouse driving everything that orbits around it.
What makes up the Solar System?
Our solar system has eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets, along with numerous asteroids and moons, orbit the sun. The sun is the largest object and source of light and heat for all celestial bodies in our solar system.
The planets of the solar system
Based on the definition by NASA, planets are celestial bodies that need to meet specific criteria:
- Must orbit a star, in this case, the Sun.
- Has sufficient mass and enough gravity to form a sphere-like shape.
- Has a strong gravitational pull that can push away similar and smaller shaped objects around its orbit.
- Is not a satellite of other planets.
The inner planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These terrestrial planets have rocky surfaces. Out of them, Earth is the only known planet that supports life.
The outer planets, or gas giants, include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They’re much larger than inner planets due to their composition of gases like hydrogen and helium. These planets also have moons orbiting them, similar to the inner planets.
Dwarf planets are a new category of objects that orbit the sun. They include Pluto and other small planets. Since they don’t meet the third criterion of being a planet, they have their own category.
Satellites of the solar system
Satellites are bodies that orbit stars or planets. Technically, planets are satellites of the Sun but are typically larger than moons. Our solar system has many moons orbiting planets, some of which rank among the largest known objects in our system.
The solar system is a fascinating and dynamic place. Planets orbit the sun, and moons orbit planets, creating constant motion. New discoveries about planets, asteroids, and other bodies are made all the time.
The Solar system in the Milky Way Galaxy
Our solar system sits in the vast Milky Way Galaxy. Comparing them is like comparing a grain of sand to a beach. The Milky Way contains around 100 billion stars, including our sun. It’s awe-inspiring to see those stars shining down at night.