Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is a big family of the Sun and everything that moves around it, like planets, moons, and asteroids. The Sun is at the center, and it's what keeps everything together.

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

Why is Earth a special planet?

Accepted Answer

Earth is special because it's our home and the only planet we know that has living things. It has water, air, and the right temperature for life.

Question 4

What is the biggest planet in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system. It's so large that over 1,300 Earths could fit inside it!

Question 5

Why does Mars look red?

Accepted Answer

Mars looks red because its surface is covered with rusty, iron-rich dust. This gives the planet its reddish color, like iron or rust.

Question 6

What are rings around Saturn?

Accepted Answer

The rings around Saturn are made of ice, dust, and rock. They are very pretty and make Saturn stand out among all the planets.

Question 7

How does the moon shine at night?

Accepted Answer

The moon shines at night because it reflects the light from the Sun. It doesn't make its own light, it's like a big mirror in the sky.

Question 8

What is an asteroid?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

A comet is a ball of ice, rock, and dust. When a comet gets close to the Sun, it heats up and shows a bright, glowing tail that points away from the Sun.

Question 10

What makes Pluto different from the other planets?

Accepted Answer

Pluto is different because it's smaller, and now it's called a dwarf planet. It's part of a group of small, icy bodies at the edge of the solar system.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

It takes Earth about 365 days, or one year, to go all the way around the Sun. That's why we have a birthday every year!

Question 12

What is the Sun made of?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is made mostly of hot gases called hydrogen and helium. These gases make the Sun shine brightly and give us heat and light.

Question 13

Why do we have day and night?

Accepted Answer

We have day and night because Earth spins around once every 24 hours. When our part of Earth faces the Sun, it's day, and when it's away from the Sun, it's night.

Question 14

How is an eclipse formed?

Accepted Answer

An eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up in a straight line. If the Moon blocks our view of the Sun, it's a solar eclipse. If Earth casts a shadow on the Moon, it's a lunar eclipse.

Question 15

What is a space probe?

Accepted Answer

A space probe is a machine that we send into space to learn more about distant places, like planets and moons. It sends back pictures and information, so we can study them from Earth.

Question 16

Why does Neptune look blue?

Accepted Answer

Neptune looks blue because of a gas called methane in its atmosphere. The methane absorbs red light and reflects blue light, making the planet look blue to us.

Question 17

Do all planets have moons?

Accepted Answer

Most planets in the solar system have moons, but not all. For example, Mercury and Venus don't have any moons, but Jupiter has over 70!

Question 18

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, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun.

Question 19

How do astronauts travel to space?

Accepted Answer

Astronauts travel to space in rockets that blast off Earth and take them to places like the International Space Station. The rockets are super powerful to escape Earth's gravity.

Question 20

Why are there craters on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

There are craters on the Moon because rocks from space, called meteoroids, crash into it. The Moon doesn't have an atmosphere to protect it, so the craters stay for a very long time.

The Solar System and Its Unique Bodies - 20 FAQs Explained Simply