Exploring the Solar System

Study Notes

The solar system consists of eight planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and other objects that orbit around the Sun.
The solar system is approximately 4.6 billion years old and is located in the Milky Way galaxy.

Mercury
- Closest planet to the Sun
- Smallest planet in the solar system
- Rocky surface with numerous craters
Venus
- Hottest planet in the solar system
- Thick atmosphere composed of carbon dioxide
- Volcanic surface with numerous mountains
Earth
- Third planet from the Sun
- Only known planet to support life
- 71% of the surface is water
Mars
- Known as the Red Planet due to its reddish appearance
- Rocky surface with numerous valleys and craters
- Potential candidate for supporting life
Jupiter
- Largest planet in the solar system
- Gas giant composed mostly of hydrogen and helium
- Stormy atmosphere with a prominent Great Red Spot
Saturn
- Second largest planet in the solar system
- Gas giant with a prominent ring system
- At least 62 moons
Uranus
- Seventh planet from the Sun
- Ice giant composed mostly of water, ammonia, and methane
- Tilted axis resulting in extreme seasons
Neptune
- Eighth and farthest planet from the Sun
- Ice giant with a strong winds and storm systems
- 14 known moons

Dwarf Planets: Pluto, Eris, and other objects that are large enough to be rounded by their own gravity but have not cleared their orbits.
Asteroids: Small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Comets: Icy bodies that release gas and dust as they approach the Sun.
Kuiper Belt: A region of icy bodies and other small celestial objects beyond Neptune's orbit.
Oort Cloud: A distant, spherical shell of icy bodies surrounding the solar system.

The solar system formed from a giant cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula.
Gravity caused the nebula to collapse, with the Sun forming at the center.
The remaining material cooled and condensed, forming the planets and other objects.

The solar system is estimated to be 4.6 billion years old and is located in the Milky Way galaxy.
The solar system comprises eight planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and other objects orbiting the Sun.

Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun, with a rocky surface featuring numerous craters.
Venus: The hottest planet, with a thick atmosphere composed of carbon dioxide and a volcanic surface with numerous mountains.
Earth: The third planet from the Sun, with 71% of its surface covered in water, and the only known planet to support life.
Mars: Known as the Red Planet, with a rocky surface featuring numerous valleys and craters, and considered a potential candidate for supporting life.
Jupiter: The largest planet, a gas giant composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, with a stormy atmosphere featuring a prominent Great Red Spot.
Saturn: The second largest planet, a gas giant with a prominent ring system, and at least 62 moons.
Uranus: The seventh planet from the Sun, an ice giant composed mostly of water, ammonia, and methane, with a tilted axis resulting in extreme seasons.
Neptune: The eighth and farthest planet from the Sun, an ice giant with strong winds and storm systems, and 14 known moons.

Dwarf Planets: Large objects like Pluto and Eris that are rounded by their own gravity but haven't cleared their orbits.
Asteroids: Small, rocky objects orbiting the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Comets: Icy bodies releasing gas and dust as they approach the Sun.
Kuiper Belt: A region of icy bodies and other small celestial objects beyond Neptune's orbit.
Oort Cloud: A distant, spherical shell of icy bodies surrounding the solar system.

The solar system formed from a giant cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula.
Gravity caused the nebula to collapse, with the Sun forming at the center.
The remaining material cooled and condensed, forming the planets and other objects.