Exploring Earth's Solar System

What are the eight planets in our solar system, listed in order from the sun?

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

What is the current status of Pluto in our solar system?

Pluto is considered a dwarf planet

What are some examples of celestial bodies in our solar system?

Moons, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, dwarf planets, and meteorites

How many solar systems are estimated to exist in the Milky Way Galaxy?

Approximately 3,200 Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a comet?

A comet is a small icy body that orbits in the solar system and develops a tail of gas as it approaches the sun. Signup and view all the answers

How many planets in our solar system have no moons?

Two (Mercury and Venus). Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a meteoroid, a meteor, and a meteorite?

A meteoroid is a small piece of rock floating in space. A meteor is a meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up. A meteorite is a meteor that survives its passage through the atmosphere and hits the ground. Signup and view all the answers

What mnemonic can be used to remember the order of the planets in our solar system?

'My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos' Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of planets in our solar system and their order from the sun?

The two types of planets in our solar system are terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and Jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune). The terrestrial planets are closer to the sun and the Jovian planets are farther away. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?

An asteroid is a minor planet made up of metal and/or rock, while a comet is a small icy body that develops a tail of gas as it approaches the sun. Signup and view all the answers

What is a meteoroid?

A meteoroid is a small piece of rock floating in space that may one day enter Earth's atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of celestial objects found in our solar system, other than planets and moons?

The three types of celestial objects found in our solar system, other than planets and moons, are asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two categories of planets in Earth's solar system and what are the differences between them?

The two categories of planets in Earth's solar system are terrestrial planets and Jovian planets. Terrestrial planets have a solid surface, are relatively smaller, and have a metal core, while Jovian planets do not have a solid surface and are primarily comprised of gases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mnemonic used to remember the order of the planets in our solar system?

'My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos' is the mnemonic used to remember the order of the planets. Signup and view all the answers

Which two planets in our solar system have no moons?

Mercury and Venus are the two planets in our solar system that have no moons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a meteoroid, a meteor, and a meteorite?

A meteoroid is a small piece of rock floating in space. As it enters Earth's atmosphere and is heated by friction, it becomes a meteor. If the meteor survives its passage through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it becomes a meteorite. Signup and view all the answers

What are the criteria for a celestial body to be designated as a planet?

The criteria for a celestial body to be designated as a planet are: it must orbit the sun, it needs to have a significant enough gravitational pull to cause two outcomes - shaping the celestial body into a sphere and creating a clear orbit around the sun. Signup and view all the answers

What mnemonic device can be used to remember the correct order of the planets?

The mnemonic device to remember the correct order of the planets is 'My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite?

A meteoroid is a celestial body that floats through space, a meteor is a meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere and heats up due to friction, and a meteorite is a meteor that survives the atmosphere and hits the ground. Signup and view all the answers

What are comets made of and what happens to them as they get closer to the sun?

Comets are made of small icy bodies of frozen gases, rocks, and cosmic dust. As comets get closer to the sun, the ice slowly melts, causing them to develop a gas tail. The gas tail usually disappears as the comet gets farther away from the sun and its temperature drops. Signup and view all the answers