Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is our home in space. It includes the Sun, eight planets, their moons, and other objects like asteroids and comets that all orbit around the Sun.

Question 2

What is the largest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The largest planet is Jupiter. It's so big that over 1,300 Earths could fit inside it!

Question 3

How many planets are there in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

There are eight planets in our solar system. They are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Question 4

Why is Pluto not a planet anymore?

Accepted Answer

Pluto used to be called a planet, but scientists decided it's too small and not similar enough to the other planets. Now they call it a 'dwarf planet.'

Question 5

What is the Sun made of?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is a giant ball of hot gas. It's mostly made of hydrogen and helium, which burn to make light and heat.

Question 6

Why do planets orbit the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Planets orbit the Sun because of its gravity. Gravity is a force that pulls things, and the Sun's gravity keeps the planets moving around it.

Question 7

What planet is known as the 'Red Planet'?

Accepted Answer

Mars is known as the 'Red Planet' because of its reddish color. This color comes from iron oxide, which is like rust, on its surface.

Question 8

Why is Earth special in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Earth is special because it's the only planet we know of that has life. It has water, air, and just the right temperature for living things to survive.

Question 9

What are asteroids?

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun. Most of them are found in the asteroid belt, a region between Mars and Jupiter.

Question 10

How many moons does Earth have?

Accepted Answer

Earth has one moon. It's the big, bright ball we see in the night sky.

Question 11

What are comets?

Accepted Answer

Comets are icy objects that orbit the Sun. When they get close to the Sun, they heat up and the ice turns into gas, creating a bright tail.

Question 12

What is the smallest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The smallest planet is Mercury. It's even smaller than some of the largest moons in our solar system.

Question 13

What is a meteor?

Accepted Answer

A meteor is a piece of rock or metal from space that burns up when it enters Earth's atmosphere, creating a bright streak of light. We sometimes call them 'shooting stars.'

Question 14

Why does Saturn have rings?

Accepted Answer

Saturn's rings are made of ice and rock. They might have come from comets, asteroids, or even broken moons that got too close to Saturn and were torn apart by its gravity.

Question 15

What is the hottest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Venus is the hottest planet. Even though it's not the closest to the Sun, its thick atmosphere traps heat, making it hotter than Mercury.

Question 16

Which planet is known for its beautiful rings?

Accepted Answer

Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings. They are made of ice and rock and are very wide, but only about as thick as a house is tall.

Question 17

How does the moon affect tides on Earth?

Accepted Answer

The moon's gravity pulls on Earth's oceans, making them bulge out a little. This makes the tides go up and down each day.

Question 18

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Accepted Answer

The Kuiper Belt is a region of space beyond Neptune filled with icy objects. It's where many comets come from and is home to dwarf planets like Pluto.

Question 19

What is a galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A galaxy is a huge collection of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

Question 20

Why do planets shine if they don't make light themselves?

Accepted Answer

Planets shine because they reflect the light from the Sun. Just like the moon reflects sunlight, planets do too, making them visible in our sky.

The Mysteries of the Solar System - 20 FAQs Explained Simply