Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is a group of planets and other space objects that all orbit around the Sun. The Sun is a big, hot star that gives us light and heat.

Question 2

How many planets are in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Why is Earth special?

Accepted Answer

Earth is special because it's the only planet we know of that has life. It has just the right conditions, like air and water, for animals and plants to live.

Question 4

What is a planet?

Accepted Answer

A planet is a large, round object in space that moves around a star, like our Sun. Planets do not make light on their own; they reflect the light of the star they orbit.

Question 5

What makes the Sun shine?

Accepted Answer

The Sun shines because it has a lot of energy inside it. This energy comes from nuclear reactions, which make the Sun very hot and bright.

Question 6

Why is Pluto not a planet anymore?

Accepted Answer

Pluto used to be called the ninth planet, but scientists decided it is too small and doesn't clear its path around the Sun. Now, Pluto is known as a dwarf planet.

Question 7

What are asteroids?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

What is the biggest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system. It's so big that all the other planets could fit inside it!

Question 9

What are rings around some planets?

Accepted Answer

Some planets, like Saturn, have rings around them made of ice and rock. These rings are really pretty and look like giant hula hoops!

Question 10

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

A comet is a ball of ice, dust, and rock that travels around the Sun. When a comet gets close to the Sun, it heats up and looks like it has a glowing tail.

Question 11

Why do we have day and night?

Accepted Answer

We have day and night because Earth spins around like a top. When our part of Earth faces the Sun, it's day, and when it faces away, it's night.

Question 12

What is gravity?

Accepted Answer

Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards each other. It's what makes an apple fall from a tree and keeps us on the ground!

Question 13

How did the solar system form?

Accepted Answer

The solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a big cloud of gas and dust. This cloud spun around and stuck together to form the Sun and planets.

Question 14

Why does the Moon change shape?

Accepted Answer

The Moon changes shape because of its position in relation to Earth and the Sun. These different shapes are called phases, like full moon or crescent moon.

Question 15

What is a solar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth and blocks the Sun's light for a short time. It can look like a big, dark circle in the sky.

Question 16

What is the hottest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system. It's even hotter than Mercury because of its thick atmosphere that traps heat.

Question 17

What is a dwarf planet?

Accepted Answer

A dwarf planet is like a regular planet, but it's smaller and doesn't clear its orbit. Pluto is an example of a dwarf planet.

Question 18

Do other planets have moons?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many other planets have moons too! For example, Jupiter has more than 75 moons, and they come in all different sizes.

Question 19

What is a meteor shower?

Accepted Answer

A meteor shower happens when Earth passes through a trail of dust and rocks left by a comet. These rocks burn up in our atmosphere and look like shooting stars.

Question 20

Why do stars twinkle?

Accepted Answer

Stars twinkle because their light is being bent as it travels through Earth's atmosphere. This bending makes them look like they're twinkling in the sky.

The Solar System and Its Planetary Phenomena - 20 FAQs Explained Simply