Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is a big family of planets, moons, and other objects that revolve around the Sun. The Sun is like the parent, and the planets are like its children.

Question 2

How many planets are 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 3

Why can't we see all the planets from Earth?

Accepted Answer

Some planets are too far away, and others are too small to see without a telescope. Sometimes, bright lights from the Sun or our Earth's clouds can also block our view.

Question 4

What makes Earth special compared to other planets?

Accepted Answer

Earth is special because it has water, air, and plants, which are important for life. It’s the only planet we know that has life on it.

Question 5

How does the Sun give us light and heat?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is like a giant ball of very hot gas that shines light and gives off heat. This light and heat travel all the way to Earth and keep us warm.

Question 6

What is the biggest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Why is Pluto no longer called a planet?

Accepted Answer

Pluto is no longer called a planet because it’s much smaller than the other planets and shares its space with lots of other objects. So, scientists now call it a 'dwarf planet.'

Question 8

What is an asteroid?

Accepted Answer

An asteroid is a rocky object that orbits the Sun, just like planets do. They are much smaller than planets and can be found mostly in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Question 9

Why do we see different shapes of the moon?

Accepted Answer

We see different shapes of the moon because of the Sun's light. As the moon moves around Earth, the side facing us gets lit up in different ways, creating shapes like the crescent and full moon.

Question 10

What are comets made of?

Accepted Answer

Comets are made of ice, dust, and gas. When they get close to the Sun, they heat up and glow, which makes their long tails.

Question 11

Why is Mars called the Red Planet?

Accepted Answer

Mars is called the Red Planet because of its reddish soil. This red color comes from rusty iron dust on its surface.

Question 12

Can astronauts live on any planets in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Right now, astronauts can only live on Earth. Other planets are either too hot, too cold, or don't have the air and water we need to live.

Question 13

What is a moon?

Accepted Answer

A moon is a natural object that orbits a planet. Our Earth has one moon, but some planets, like Jupiter, have many moons!

Question 14

What is a shooting star?

Accepted Answer

A shooting star is not a star at all; it's a small rock or dust from space that burns up and glows as it falls through Earth’s atmosphere.

Question 15

Why do planets stay in orbit around the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Planets stay in orbit because of gravity. The Sun's gravity pulls them toward it, while their own movement keeps them from crashing into it.

Question 16

What is the Milky Way?

Accepted Answer

The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system. It is filled with billions of stars, and from Earth, it looks like a wide band of light across the sky.

Question 17

How do scientists learn about other planets?

Accepted Answer

Scientists use telescopes, satellites, and space missions to study other planets. These tools help them take pictures and gather information from far away.

Question 18

What is a solar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the Earth and the Sun. This blocks the Sun's light for a short time, making it look like the day has turned into night.

Question 19

Why do we have seasons on Earth?

Accepted Answer

We have seasons because Earth is tilted as it orbits the Sun. This tilt means different parts of Earth get more sunlight at different times of the year.

Question 20

What are Saturn's rings made of?

Accepted Answer

Saturn's rings are made up of ice, rocks, and dust. They are very beautiful and can be seen with a telescope!

The Solar System: Exploring Planetary Science - 20 FAQs Explained Simply