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Questions and Answers
What is the approximate age of the solar system?
Which planet is known for its thick atmosphere that traps heat?
What is unique about Earth compared to the other planets?
Which planet has the most moons?
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What is the primary composition of Jupiter?
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Which dwarf planet is located in the asteroid belt?
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What is the farthest planet from the sun?
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What is the region of icy bodies beyond Neptune's orbit?
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Study Notes
Overview
- The solar system consists of eight planets, five dwarf planets, and other smaller bodies
- Formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago from a giant cloud of gas and dust
The Eight Planets
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Mercury
- Smallest planet in the solar system
- Closest to the sun
- Highly elliptical orbit
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Venus
- Hottest planet in the solar system
- Thick atmosphere traps heat
- Volcanic surface
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Earth
- Third planet from the sun
- Only known planet to support life
- 71% of surface is water
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Mars
- Known as the "Red Planet"
- Rocky terrain with valleys and craters
- Potential for past or present life
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Jupiter
- Largest planet in the solar system
- Gas giant, mostly hydrogen and helium
- Stormy atmosphere with Great Red Spot
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Saturn
- Second-largest planet in the solar system
- Gas giant with prominent ring system
- At least 62 moons
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Uranus
- Tilted axis, resulting in extreme seasons
- Ice giant, mostly water, ammonia, and methane
- Thin ring system
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Neptune
- Farthest planet from the sun
- Coldest planet in the solar system
- Strongest winds in the solar system
Dwarf Planets
- Pluto: previously considered the ninth planet, now classified as a dwarf planet
- Eris: slightly larger than Pluto, highly eccentric orbit
- Ceres: largest object in the asteroid belt, now classified as a dwarf planet
- Haumea: irregular shape, highly eccentric orbit
- Makemake: highly inclined orbit, possible moon
Other Objects
- Moons: natural satellites orbiting planets
- Asteroids: small, rocky objects in the asteroid belt
- Comets: icy bodies releasing gas and dust as they approach the sun
- Kuiper Belt: region of icy bodies beyond Neptune's orbit
Formation of the Solar System
- Formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago from a giant cloud of gas and dust
The Eight Planets
- Mercury: smallest planet, closest to the sun, highly elliptical orbit
- Venus: hottest planet, thick atmosphere traps heat, volcanic surface
- Earth: third planet from the sun, only known planet to support life, 71% of surface is water
- Mars: known as the "Red Planet", rocky terrain with valleys and craters, potential for past or present life
- Jupiter: largest planet, gas giant, mostly hydrogen and helium, stormy atmosphere with Great Red Spot
- Saturn: second-largest planet, gas giant, prominent ring system, at least 62 moons
- Uranus: tilted axis, resulting in extreme seasons, ice giant, mostly water, ammonia, and methane, thin ring system
- Neptune: farthest planet from the sun, coldest planet, strongest winds in the solar system
Dwarf Planets
- Pluto: previously considered the ninth planet, now classified as a dwarf planet
- Eris: slightly larger than Pluto, highly eccentric orbit
- Ceres: largest object in the asteroid belt, now classified as a dwarf planet
- Haumea: irregular shape, highly eccentric orbit
- Makemake: highly inclined orbit, possible moon
Other Objects
- Moons: natural satellites orbiting planets
- Asteroids: small, rocky objects in the asteroid belt
- Comets: icy bodies releasing gas and dust as they approach the sun
- Kuiper Belt: region of icy bodies beyond Neptune's orbit
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Description
Explore the formation and composition of our solar system, including the eight planets and their unique features.
