Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is our neighborhood in space. It includes the Sun, which is like a bright ball, and many planets, moons, asteroids, and comets that go around it.

Question 2

How many planets are 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

What is the biggest planet in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

The biggest planet is Jupiter. It’s so big that you could fit all the other planets inside it!

Question 4

What planet do we live on?

Accepted Answer

We live on Earth. It's the third planet from the Sun and the only one we know of that has life.

Question 5

What is a moon?

Accepted Answer

A moon is a natural object that goes around a planet. Some planets have lots of moons, like Jupiter, while others, like Mercury and Venus, have none.

Question 6

Does Earth have a moon?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Earth has one moon. It looks like a big, bright circle in the night sky.

Question 7

Why does the moon change shape?

Accepted Answer

The moon looks like it changes shape because of how it moves around Earth. These shapes are called phases, and they happen because we see different parts of the moon lit up by the Sun.

Question 8

What are the rings of Saturn made of?

Accepted Answer

The rings of Saturn are made of ice, rocks, and dust. They are very beautiful and make Saturn stand out among the planets.

Question 9

Can we see the solar system with our eyes?

Accepted Answer

We can see some of the solar system with our eyes at night. The moon, some planets like Venus, and lots of stars can be seen without a telescope.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

It takes Earth about 365 days, or one year, to travel all the way around the Sun. That's why we have seasons like spring and summer.

Question 11

What's the smallest planet in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. It's closest to the Sun and is a little bigger than Earth's moon.

Question 12

Which planet is known as the red planet?

Accepted Answer

Mars is called the red planet because it looks red. The surface has lots of iron, which makes it look rusty.

Question 13

Why is the Sun important to us?

Accepted Answer

The Sun gives us light and warmth, which are very important for living things on Earth. Without the Sun, there would be no plants, animals, or people.

Question 14

What is an asteroid?

Accepted Answer

An asteroid is a big rock that orbits around the Sun. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Question 15

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

A comet is a ball of ice, dust, and rock that also orbits the Sun. When comets get close to the Sun, they grow tails that can be seen from Earth.

Question 16

Do all planets have moons?

Accepted Answer

Not all planets have moons. Mercury and Venus don’t have any moons at all, while other planets can have many, like Jupiter which has over 50!

Question 17

Why is Pluto no longer a planet?

Accepted Answer

Pluto is now called a 'dwarf planet' because it is smaller and doesn't clear its path around the Sun like the other planets do. It still orbits the Sun, but it's not in the main group of planets anymore.

Question 18

What is the hottest planet in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

Venus is the hottest planet, even though it’s not the closest to the Sun. It’s hot because it has thick clouds that trap heat.

Question 19

Which planet is known for its big storm called the Great Red Spot?

Accepted Answer

Jupiter is known for the Great Red Spot, a huge storm that’s bigger than Earth. It’s been swirling for hundreds of years.

Question 20

What is special about Uranus?

Accepted Answer

Uranus is special because it spins on its side. That means it rolls around the Sun like a ball, unlike the other planets that spin like tops.

The Solar System and its Moons - 20 FAQs Explained Simply