Our Solar System

Our Solar System

• Our solar system is one of over 500 known solar systems in the Milky Way galaxy.
• The solar system formed about 4.5 billion years ago from a cloud of interstellar gas and dust.

Location

• The solar system is located in the Milky Way's Orion star cluster.
• Only 15% of stars in the galaxy host planetary systems, and our sun is one of them.

Planets

• There are eight planets in our solar system.
• The planets are divided into two categories: Terrestrial and Jovian.

Terrestrial Planets

• Mercury is the smallest and closest to the sun, with an orbit of about three Earth months.
• Venus is the hottest planet, with temperatures of up to 867 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Earth is the only known environment in the universe capable of sustaining life.
• Mars might have supported life about 3.7 billion years ago, when it had a watery surface and moist atmosphere.

Jovian Planets

• The Jovian planets include gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, and ice giants Uranus and Neptune.
• The gas giants are predominantly made of helium and hydrogen.
• The ice giants contain rock, ice, and a liquid mixture of water, methane, and ammonia.
• All four Jovian planets have multiple moons, sport ring systems, have no solid surface, and are immense.

Jupiter and Saturn

• Jupiter is the largest Jovian planet and the largest planet in the solar system.
• Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system, with signature rings that are wide enough to fit between Earth and the moon, but are barely a kilometer thick.

Uranus and Neptune

• Uranus is an ice giant, famous for rotating on its side.
• Neptune is the outermost planet in the solar system, and also one of the coldest.

Asteroid Belt and Kuiper Belt

• The asteroid belt is a flat disc of rocky objects, orbiting the Terrestrial planets.
• The Kuiper Belt is a disc of space debris, orbiting the Jovian planets, and is home to dwarf planets like Pluto.

Oort Cloud

• The Oort Cloud is a vast, spherical collection of icy debris.
• It is considered the edge of the solar system, where the gravitational and physical influences of the sun end.

Our Solar System

• One of over 500 known solar systems in the Milky Way galaxy
• Formed about 4.5 billion years ago from a cloud of interstellar gas and dust

Location

• Located in the Milky Way's Orion star cluster
• Only 15% of stars in the galaxy host planetary systems, and our sun is one of them

Planets

• Eight planets in our solar system
• Divided into two categories: Terrestrial and Jovian

Terrestrial Planets

• Mercury: smallest and closest to the sun, with an orbit of about three Earth months
• Venus: hottest planet, with temperatures of up to 867 degrees Fahrenheit
• Earth: only known environment in the universe capable of sustaining life
• Mars: might have supported life about 3.7 billion years ago, with a watery surface and moist atmosphere

Jovian Planets

• Include gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, and ice giants Uranus and Neptune
• Gas giants: predominantly made of helium and hydrogen
• Ice giants: contain rock, ice, and a liquid mixture of water, methane, and ammonia
• All four Jovian planets: have multiple moons, sport ring systems, have no solid surface, and are immense

Jupiter and Saturn

• Jupiter: largest Jovian planet and the largest planet in the solar system
• Saturn: second largest planet in the solar system, with signature rings that are wide enough to fit between Earth and the moon, but are barely a kilometer thick

Uranus and Neptune

• Uranus: ice giant, famous for rotating on its side
• Neptune: outermost planet in the solar system, and also one of the coldest

Asteroid Belt and Kuiper Belt

• Asteroid belt: a flat disc of rocky objects, orbiting the Terrestrial planets
• Kuiper Belt: a disc of space debris, orbiting the Jovian planets, and home to dwarf planets like Pluto

Oort Cloud

• A vast, spherical collection of icy debris
• Considered the edge of the solar system, where the gravitational and physical influences of the sun end