Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is our cosmic neighborhood in space. It includes the Sun, eight planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects all moving around the Sun.

Question 2

What is the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is a huge, hot ball of gas that gives us light and heat. It's at the center of the solar system and everything orbits around it.

Question 3

How many planets are in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

Why is Pluto no longer a planet?

Accepted Answer

Pluto used to be a planet, but scientists decided it is too small to be a full planet. Now, it's called a 'dwarf planet.'

Question 5

What is an asteroid?

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They can be as small as a car or as big as a mountain.

Question 6

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

Comets are icy objects that also orbit the Sun. When they get close to the Sun, they heat up and leave a bright, glowing trail behind them.

Question 7

Why do planets orbit the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Planets orbit the Sun because of gravity. The Sun's gravity pulls on the planets, keeping them moving around it.

Question 8

What is Earth's moon called?

Accepted Answer

Earth's moon is just called 'the Moon.' It's the only place beyond Earth humans have visited.

Question 9

How big is the Sun compared to Earth?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is huge! You could fit about 1.3 million Earths inside it. It's much bigger than any planet in our solar system.

Question 10

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. Because it's so close, it has very hot days and very cold nights.

Question 11

Which planet is known for its rings?

Accepted Answer

Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings. The rings are made of ice and rock, and they're really wide!

Question 12

Is there life on other planets?

Accepted Answer

We don't know yet if there's life on other planets. Scientists are looking for signs of life, especially on planets and moons with water.

Question 13

How long does it take for Earth to orbit the Sun?

Accepted Answer

It takes Earth about 365 days, or one year, to orbit the Sun. That's why we have seasons and a yearly calendar.

Question 14

Why is Mars called the Red Planet?

Accepted Answer

Mars is called the Red Planet because its surface looks reddish. The color comes from rusty iron in the soil.

Question 15

What is the largest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It's so big that more than 1,300 Earths could fit inside it!

Question 16

Can we see other planets from Earth?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on clear nights, you can see some planets from Earth without a telescope. Venus and Jupiter are often the brightest and easiest to spot.

Question 17

What is a dwarf planet?

Accepted Answer

A dwarf planet is a small celestial body that orbits the Sun, like Pluto. It's not big enough to clear its path of other space objects.

Question 18

What makes Earth special in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Earth is special because it's the only planet we know of that has life. It's just the right distance from the Sun to have water, air, and the right temperature.

Question 19

What are shooting stars?

Accepted Answer

Shooting stars are not actually stars. They're tiny bits of space rock or dust burning up as they enter Earth's atmosphere, creating a bright streak in the sky.

Question 20

What is the Milky Way?

Accepted Answer

The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system. It's a huge collection of stars, planets, and other space stuff, and it looks like a milky band of light in the sky.

The Solar System: An Overview of Our Celestial Neighborhood - 20 FAQs Explained Simply