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

Discover the wonders of our solar system, its location in the Milky Way galaxy, and the different types of planets that exist within it.