Question 1

What is the solar system?

Accepted Answer

The solar system is a group of planets and other space stuff that orbit around our Sun. The Sun is at the center, and everything else moves around it.

Question 2

How many planets are in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. It's really hot there because it's so close to the Sun.

Question 4

Why is Earth special in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

What are asteroids?

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are big rocks that float around in space, mostly in a place called the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They're like leftover building blocks from when the solar system was formed.

Question 6

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 over 1,300 Earths could fit inside it!

Question 7

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

A comet is a space object made of ice, dust, and rocks. When it gets close to the Sun, it forms a bright tail that we can sometimes see from Earth.

Question 8

Why is Saturn famous?

Accepted Answer

Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings. The rings are made of ice and rocks that orbit the planet.

Question 9

What's the difference between a planet and a moon?

Accepted Answer

A planet orbits the Sun, while a moon orbits a planet. Moons are like little companions for planets.

Question 10

What is the smallest planet in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system. It's even smaller than some of the moons around other planets!

Question 11

Can people live on other planets?

Accepted Answer

Right now, people can only live on Earth. Scientists are studying if people could live on other planets like Mars in the future.

Question 12

What is the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is a huge, hot star at the center of our solar system. It gives us light and heat, making life possible on Earth.

Question 13

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 their paths.

Question 14

What is Pluto?

Accepted Answer

Pluto used to be called a planet, but now it's known as a dwarf planet. It's smaller than our Moon and is part of a group of similar small objects.

Question 15

How long does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun?

Accepted Answer

It takes Earth one year, or about 365 days, to orbit the Sun. This is why we have four seasons!

Question 16

What is a dwarf planet?

Accepted Answer

A dwarf planet is a space object that orbits the Sun but is not big enough to be called a planet. Pluto is the most well-known dwarf planet.

Question 17

Do all planets have moons?

Accepted Answer

No, not all planets have moons. Mercury and Venus don't have any moons at all.

Question 18

What are the rings of Saturn made of?

Accepted Answer

The rings of Saturn are made of ice, dust, and rock. They look solid from far away but are actually made of many tiny pieces.

Question 19

What is an orbit?

Accepted Answer

An orbit is the path that an object takes as it moves around another object, like a planet around the Sun. For example, Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical (oval) shape.

Question 20

Which planet is known as the Red Planet?

Accepted Answer

Mars is known as the Red Planet because of its reddish color. The color comes from iron dust on its surface.

The Solar System Overview - 20 FAQs Explained Simply