Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is a big neighborhood in space where the Sun is the boss. It has planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and more, all going around the Sun.

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

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. It's really hot there because it gets a lot of sunlight.

Question 4

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 all the other planets could fit inside it!

Question 5

Why is Earth special?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

What are rings around planets?

Accepted Answer

Some planets like Saturn have rings made of ice and rock. These rings go around the planet, making them look really cool.

Question 7

Why do planets orbit the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Planets orbit, or travel around, the Sun because the Sun's gravity pulls them close. It's like the Sun is playing a strong game of tug-of-war with them.

Question 8

What is an asteroid?

Accepted Answer

An asteroid is a big rock that travels through space. They are leftover pieces from when the solar system was formed.

Question 9

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

A comet is like a big, dirty snowball made of ice, dust, and rock. When it gets close to the Sun, it makes a bright tail that we can see.

Question 10

Why is Pluto not a planet anymore?

Accepted Answer

Pluto is no longer called a planet because it's too small and its orbit is different from the other planets. Now it's called a 'dwarf planet.'

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

It takes Earth about 365 days, or one year, to go 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 a big ball of hot gases, mainly hydrogen and helium. It's like a giant, glowing furnace in space.

Question 13

Why can't we live on other planets?

Accepted Answer

Most other planets are too hot, too cold, or don't have air to breathe. Earth is just right for us to live on.

Question 14

What is the smallest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. It's even smaller than some of the moons in space!

Question 15

What are moons?

Accepted Answer

Moons are natural objects that orbit, or travel around, planets. They can be big or small and are made of rock or ice.

Question 16

How many moons does Earth have?

Accepted Answer

Earth has one moon. It's the big, bright thing you see in the night sky.

Question 17

What is the difference between a star and a planet?

Accepted Answer

A star, like our Sun, creates its own light and heat. A planet doesn't make light; it reflects the light from its star.

Question 18

What is the Milky Way?

Accepted Answer

The Milky Way is the galaxy that includes our solar system. It's a giant, starry city in space where we live.

Question 19

Can we travel to other planets?

Accepted Answer

Right now, we can only send robots to other planets, like Mars. People have only traveled as far as the Moon so far.

Question 20

What is a galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A galaxy is a huge collection of stars, planets, gas, and dust. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

The Solar System: Exploring Planets and Beyond - 20 FAQs Explained Simply