Question 1

What is the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

The Solar System is like a big family of planets, moons, and other objects that orbit, or go around, our Sun. The Sun is in the center, and everything in the Solar System goes around it.

Question 2

How many planets are there in the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

There are eight planets in the Solar System. They are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Question 3

Why is Pluto not a planet anymore?

Accepted Answer

Pluto used to be called a planet, but scientists decided it's now a 'dwarf planet'. This is because it's smaller and doesn't clear other objects in its path around the Sun like the other planets do.

Question 4

What is the biggest planet in the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

The biggest planet in the Solar System is Jupiter. It's so big that over 1,300 Earths could fit inside it!

Question 5

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. Because of this, it's usually very hot on Mercury.

Question 6

Is there life on other planets?

Accepted Answer

So far, Earth is the only planet where we know there is life. Scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets, especially Mars.

Question 7

What is the hottest planet in the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

Venus is the hottest planet in the Solar System. Its thick clouds trap heat, making it even hotter than Mercury, which is closer to the Sun.

Question 8

What are rings around a planet?

Accepted Answer

Rings are made of ice, rock, and dust that orbit around some planets. Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings, but other planets like Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune have rings too.

Question 9

How long does it take Earth to go around the Sun?

Accepted Answer

It takes Earth about one year, or 365 days, to complete one trip around the Sun. This journey is what makes up a year.

Question 10

What makes a dwarf planet different from a regular planet?

Accepted Answer

Dwarf planets, like Pluto, are smaller and have not cleared their path of other objects in their orbit around the Sun. They are still round and orbit the Sun just like regular planets do.

Question 11

What is the smallest planet in the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

The smallest planet in the Solar System is Mercury. It's only slightly larger than our Moon.

Question 12

Why is Earth special in the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

Earth is special because it's the only planet we know that has life, including humans, animals, and plants. It also has water, air, and the right temperatures to support living things.

Question 13

What are asteroids?

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are like giant space rocks that orbit the Sun. Most of them are found in the asteroid belt, which is a region between the planets Mars and Jupiter.

Question 14

What is the difference between a star and a planet?

Accepted Answer

Stars, like the Sun, are giant balls of hot, glowing gases that give off light and heat. Planets are cooler, smaller, and don't shine on their own; they shine because they reflect the light from stars.

Question 15

Can we see planets from Earth?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can see some planets from Earth, especially when they are closer to us and the Sun. Planets like Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are often visible and can be seen without a telescope.

Question 16

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

A comet is a frozen ball of ice and dust that orbits the Sun. When it comes close to the Sun, it heats up and forms a glowing tail that can be seen from Earth.

Question 17

Why do we call Saturn the 'ringed planet'?

Accepted Answer

Saturn is called the 'ringed planet' because it has the most beautiful and visible rings made of ice, dust, and rocks. These make Saturn look very special when you see it through a telescope.

Question 18

What is the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is a star at the center of our Solar System. It gives us light and heat, which are essential for life on Earth.

Question 19

How do moons stay with their planets?

Accepted Answer

Moons orbit or go around planets because of a force called gravity. Gravity acts like an invisible string that keeps the moons close to their planets while they travel through space.

Question 20

What is the coldest planet in the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

The coldest planet in the Solar System is Neptune. It's far from the Sun and has very chilly temperatures.

The Solar System: An Overview of Planets and Celestial Bodies - 20 FAQs Explained Simply