Solar System Overview and Planet Classification
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Questions and Answers

What primarily defines a celestial body as a planet?

  • Its spherical shape and cleared orbital path around a star (correct)
  • Its size and proximity to other celestial bodies
  • Its composition, whether it's made of rock or gas
  • Its ability to emit light and heat

    • How many planets are officially recognized in our solar system?

  • Seven
  • Nine
  • Eight (correct)
  • Ten

    • Which mnemonic device helps in remembering the order of planets?

  • Mary's Violet Eyes Make John Stay Up Nights
  • My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos (correct)
  • Many Very Eager Monkeys Jump Swiftly Underneath Noodles
  • Mark's Very Energetic Mouse Just Sat Underneath Neptune

    • Which planet is closest to the sun?

    <p>Mercury (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main categories of planets in our solar system?

    <p>Terrestrial and Jovian (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes terrestrial planets?

    <p>Solid surface, usually rocky, and a metal core (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which planets are classified as terrestrial?

    <p>Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an atmosphere?

    <p>A layer of gases held by a planet's gravity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily distinguishes Jovian planets from terrestrial planets?

    <p>Their gaseous composition and larger size (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the defining characteristic of a moon?

    <p>Orbiting a planet (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many of Jupiter's moons have officially been confirmed by NASA as of early 2022?

    <p>53 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which celestial body is classified as a minor planet?

    <p>Asteroid (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes a comet to develop a tail?

    <p>Melting of its icy composition as it nears the sun (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a meteorite from a meteoroid?

    <p>A meteorite is a meteoroid that has survived passage through Earth's atmosphere and landed on the ground. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon is responsible for a meteor's heating as it enters Earth's atmosphere?

    <p>Friction with atmospheric molecules (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Solar System

    A collection of celestial bodies, including the sun and planets, orbiting it.

    Planets

    Celestial bodies that orbit the sun and are spherical due to gravity.

    Number of Planets

    The solar system has eight recognized planets as of 2006.

    Terrestrial Planets

    Planets with solid surfaces, often rocky, like Earth.

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    Jovian Planets

    Gas giants that are larger than terrestrial planets and farther from the sun.

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    Gravity's Role

    Gravity shapes celestial bodies into spheres and maintains orbits.

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    Pluto's Demotion

    Pluto was reclassified from planet to dwarf planet in 2006.

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    Mercury

    The closest planet to the sun in the solar system.

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    Gas giants

    Another name for Jovian planets that are primarily composed of gases.

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    Moons

    Celestial bodies that orbit planets instead of the sun.

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    Meteor

    A meteoroid that has entered Earth's atmosphere and is heated by friction.

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    Meteoroid

    A small celestial body that floats through space.

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    Meteorite

    Material that survives the atmosphere and lands on Earth.

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    Comets

    Icy bodies with tails that orbit the sun in an elliptical path.

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    Study Notes

    Solar System Overview

    • The solar system includes the Sun and eight planets, and other celestial bodies like moons, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, dwarf planets, and meteorites.
    • The Milky Way Galaxy contains an estimated 3,200 solar systems.
    • The definition of a planet is in flux; current criteria: orbits the Sun, has enough gravity to take a spherical shape, and has cleared out its orbital path.

    Defining Planets

    • To be classified as a planet, a celestial body must meet specific criteria; orbit the Sun, have enough gravity for a spherical shape, and clear its orbital path.
    • In 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet, reducing the number of known planets to eight.
    • A common mnemonic for remembering the order of the planets is "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos".

    Planet Categorization

    • Planets are categorized as either terrestrial or Jovian.
    • Terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars): solid surface, rocky composition, relatively smaller, metal core, have an atmosphere.
    • Jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune): gaseous composition, no solid surface, larger than terrestrial planets, nicknamed gas giants.

    Moons

    • Moons orbit planets, not the Sun, and are spherical due to their gravity.
    • Earth has one prominent moon; some planets have no moons, others have multiple.
    • Jupiter has an estimated 79 moons, with 53 confirmed by NASA.

    Smaller Solar System Bodies

    • Meteoroids: small celestial bodies floating in space.
    • Asteroids: larger, rocky or metallic objects orbiting the Sun, often found in the asteroid belt; considered minor planets.
    • Comets: icy bodies of gas, rock, and dust that orbit the Sun in elliptical paths; often develop tails as they approach the Sun. There are approximately 3,743 known comets (as of early 2022).

    Meteors, Meteorites, and Meteoroids

    • Meteoroids become meteors when entering Earth's atmosphere. Friction heats them up, creating a bright streak (shooting star).
    • Most meteors disintegrate in the atmosphere.
    • Remaining material that hits the ground is a meteorite.
    • These are different stages of the same celestial body.

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating structure of our solar system, including the Sun, planets, and other celestial bodies. Learn the criteria for defining planets and how they are categorized into terrestrial and Jovian types. Discover the changes in planetary classification, especially the case of Pluto.

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