Question 1

What is the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

The Solar System is our home in space. It includes the Sun, eight planets, moons, and other objects like asteroids and comets that travel around the Sun.

Question 2

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 in a path around it, just like you might spin a toy on a string.

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 considered a planet anymore?

Accepted Answer

Pluto is not considered a planet because it's much smaller and doesn't clear its path around the Sun like the other planets. It's now called a 'dwarf planet.'

Question 5

What makes Earth special in the Solar System?

Accepted Answer

Earth is special because it has the right conditions for life, like water, air, and a comfortable temperature. It's the only planet we know where living things exist.

Question 6

What are asteroids?

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They are smaller than planets but can be quite big.

Question 7

What are comets?

Accepted Answer

Comets are icy objects that also orbit the Sun. When they get close to the Sun, they heat up and show a glowing tail that can be seen from Earth.

Question 8

Why does the Moon change shape?

Accepted Answer

The Moon changes shape because of how it moves around the Earth, and because of how the sunlight hits it. These shapes are called phases, like the full moon and crescent moon.

Question 9

What is a solar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun. It blocks the Sun's light for a short time, making it look like night during the day.

Question 10

What is a lunar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth gets between the Sun and the Moon. The Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, making it look reddish or dark.

Question 11

How hot is the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is very hot! Its surface is about 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit), which is much, much hotter than a kitchen oven.

Question 12

Why do we have day and night?

Accepted Answer

We have day and night because the Earth spins around. When your part of the Earth faces the Sun, it's daytime, and when it faces away, it's nighttime.

Question 13

What is a year?

Accepted Answer

A year is the time it takes for Earth to go all the way around the Sun once. It takes about 365 days to complete this trip.

Question 14

Why do we see different constellations at different times of the year?

Accepted Answer

As Earth moves around the Sun, the night sky changes, letting us see different constellations. It's like looking out of a moving car and seeing different scenery!

Question 15

What is an asteroid belt?

Accepted Answer

The asteroid belt is a region filled with many rocky bodies between Mars and Jupiter. It's like a big doughnut made of space rocks!

Question 16

Why is Mars called the Red Planet?

Accepted Answer

Mars is called the Red Planet because of its reddish color, which comes from iron oxide, or rust, on its surface. It's like a giant rusty ball in space.

Question 17

What is the Great Red Spot on Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

The Great Red Spot is a giant storm on Jupiter that is bigger than Earth! It's been swirling for hundreds of years, much like a hurricane.

Question 18

What are Saturn's rings made of?

Accepted Answer

Saturn's rings are made of ice and rock particles. They are very thin but spread out wide, making Saturn extra special to look at.

Question 19

Why is Uranus tipped on its side?

Accepted Answer

Uranus is tilted more than any other planet, almost like it's lying on its side. Scientists think it might have been hit by something large a long time ago.

Question 20

What are shooting stars?

Accepted Answer

Shooting stars are actually bits of rock or dust that burn up as they enter Earth's atmosphere. They look like bright streaks of light in the sky.

The Solar System and Its Phenomena - 20 FAQs Explained Simply