Solar System Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What primarily defines a planet's shape, according to the passage?

  • The presence of an atmosphere
  • Its gravitational pull (correct)
  • Its proximity to the sun
  • The composition of its core

How many solar systems are estimated to exist within the Milky Way Galaxy?

  • Millions
  • 3,200 (correct)
  • Nine
  • An unknown, immeasurable amount

What distinguishes 'terrestrial' planets?

  • An extremely hot surface temperature
  • Solid, rocky surfaces and metallic cores (correct)
  • Multiple moons and ring systems
  • Gaseous composition and large size

Which celestial body was reclassified in 2006, changing the number of planets in our solar system?

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

What mnemonic helps remember the order of planets?

<p>My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides planets and moons, what other celestial bodies are found in solar systems?

<p>Asteroids, comets, and meteoroids (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What force clears a planet's orbital path?

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

What is an "atmosphere" as described in the text?

<p>A layer of gas surrounding a planet. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily distinguishes Jovian planets from terrestrial planets?

<p>Their composition of primarily gases and lack of a solid surface (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of a moon?

<p>It orbits a planet and has enough gravity to maintain a near-spherical shape. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how many moons does Jupiter have?

<p>53 confirmed, 79 estimated (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of asteroids?

<p>Metal and/or rock (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a comet from an asteroid?

<p>Comets are icy and often develop tails as they approach the sun, while asteroids are primarily rock and metal. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a meteoroid, a meteor, and a meteorite?

<p>A meteoroid is in space, a meteor is passing through Earth's atmosphere, and a meteorite reaches Earth's surface. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes a meteor to heat up as it enters Earth's atmosphere?

<p>Friction with Earth's atmospheric molecules (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Solar System

A system consisting of a sun and celestial bodies orbiting it, including planets, moons, and asteroids.

Celestial Bodies

Objects in space such as planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and more.

Planet

A celestial body orbiting the sun, shaped into a sphere by gravity, and clears its orbit of other debris.

Number of Planets

There are eight recognized planets in the solar system after Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.

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Closest Planet to the Sun

Mercury is the planet that is closest to the sun among the eight planets.

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Terrestrial Planets

Rocky planets with solid surfaces, a metallic core, and a thin atmosphere; includes Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.

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Jovian Planets

Gas giants that are larger and farther from the sun than terrestrial planets, lacking solid surfaces.

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Pluto's Status

Pluto was reclassified from a planet to a dwarf planet in 2006, reducing the count of solar system planets to eight.

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Moons

Natural satellites that orbit planets instead of the sun.

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Asteroids

Metal or rock bodies that orbit the sun, sometimes in the asteroid belt.

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Comets

Icy celestial bodies that develop a tail and orbit the sun in elliptical paths.

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Meteoroid

A small celestial body floating in space, can become a meteor when entering Earth’s atmosphere.

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Meteor

The streak of light created when a meteoroid burns up in Earth's atmosphere.

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Meteorite

The surviving material from a meteoroid that hits the ground after entering the atmosphere.

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Study Notes

Solar System Overview

  • The solar system includes the sun, eight planets, and other celestial bodies like moons, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, dwarf planets, and meteorites.
  • Multiple solar systems exist within the Milky Way galaxy, some with multiple suns and planets.
  • There are approximately 3,200 known solar systems in the Milky Way.

Planet Definition

  • To be considered a planet, a celestial body must:
    • Orbit the sun.
    • Have enough gravity to pull itself into a spherical shape.
    • Have cleared its orbital path of other objects.
  • Definitions of planets are still evolving.

Solar System Planets

  • There are eight planets in our solar system after Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
  • Planets are ordered from closest to farthest from the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
  • A mnemonic device to help remember the order is "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos."
  • Mercury is closest to the sun.

Planet Types

  • Terrestrial Planets: Solid surface, rocky composition, relatively small, have a metal core and atmosphere (e.g., Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars).
  • Jovian Planets: No solid surface, primarily gaseous, larger than terrestrial planets (e.g., Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).

Moons

  • Moons orbit planets, not the sun.
  • Earth has one large moon.
  • Some planets, like Mercury and Venus, have no moons.
  • Jupiter is thought to have 79 moons, with 53 confirmed by NASA.

Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids

  • Asteroids: Larger than meteoroids, made of metal, rock, or both, considered minor planets (orbit the sun). Many congregate in the asteroid belt.
  • Comets: Small, icy bodies of frozen gases, rocks, and cosmic dust that orbit the sun elliptically. Develop a tail as they approach the sun.
    • There are 3,743 known comets in early 2022.
  • Meteoroids: Small objects floating in space.

Meteorites, Meteors

  • Meteoroids become meteors when they enter Earth's atmosphere and are heated by friction.
  • Meteors frequently burn up completely in the atmosphere.
  • Meteorites are the remnants of meteors that reach Earth's surface.
  • Shooting stars are meteors appearing as streaks of light.

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