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The Solar System What Makes Up the Solar System? How Did The Solar System Form? Scientists believe that the Solar System evolved from a giant cloud of dust and gas. They believe that this dust and gas began to collapse under the weight of its own gravity. As it did so, the matter contained within this could begin moving in a giant circle. At the center of this spinning cloud, a small star began to form. This star grew larger and larger as it collected more and more of the dust and gas that collapsed into it. Further away from the center of this mass where the star was forming, there were smaller clumps of dust and gas that were also collapsing. The star in the center eventually ignited forming our Sun, while the smaller clumps became the planets, minor planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. Our Solar System • Our solar neighborhood is an exciting place. The Solar System is full of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, minor planets, and many other exciting objects. • What Do You Know About Our Solar System? The Solar System is made up of all the planets that orbit our Sun The Sun: “It’s Hot” The sun is a main component of the solar system, with all the planets orbiting around it. The sun produces its own light, heat, and energy. The surface temperature of the sun is around 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much cooler than its core temperature. Mercury The closest planet to the sun. Mercury has an iron core and a cratered surface along with temperatures ranging from 800 to negative 300 degrees Farenheit. Did you know that if you moved to Mercury you would weigh less there than you would on earth? This is because Mercury is smaller and has less gravity. Venus The Second Planet from the Sun. This planet is very dry with very little water. Did You Know that Venus is considered Earth’s sister? They both are about the same size and both have atmospheres unlike the other planets. Earth: Welcome Home! This is Home Sweet Home for Us! The Earth's temperature, weather, atmosphere and many other factors are just right to keep us alive. About 30% of the Earth's surface is covered with land, while about 70% is covered by oceans. Did you know the earth only has 1 moon named Luna? Mars Mars is more like Earth than any other planet due to it’s mild temperament. It is believed that at one time Mars had rivers, streams, and oceans. But today the only water on Mars is frozen. Known as the red planet for it’s color and containment of red dirt and rocks. Did you know that Mars has the highest mountains, deepest canyons, and largest volcano over any other planet in the solar system? Jupiter Jupiter is known as the stormy planet made of gas which does not have a solid surface. Known for it’s “red eye” which is a giant storm that has been raging for over 300 years. Jupiter also has rings that can only be seen when passing in front of the sun. Did you know that Jupiter is the largest planet of our solar system and that over 1000 Earth’s could fit into this planet? SATURN The 2nd largest planet in our solar system. Best known for its beautiful rings that are made up of ice, dust, and rocks. Saturn is a gas planet made up mostly of hydrogen and helium. Did you know that it is believed that Saturn would actually be able to float in water due to light density and components of hydrogen and helium? Uranus Uranus is known as the “Ice Giant” due to its extremely cold temperatures. This planet is made up of Gas and has a large rocky core. Because of the tremendous planetary pressure of Uranus, there could possibly be trillions of large diamonds in or on the surface of this planet. Did you know that it is believed that Uranus has a huge ocean on its surface that could actually be up to 5000 degrees Fahrenheit? Neptune Neptune is another gas planet but the smallest one. Neptune is a very windy place. No other planet in the Solar System has winds that are as strong as Neptune's. In Neptune's atmosphere, there is a large white cloud that moves around rather quickly. The "scooting" of this cloud around the atmosphere has led it to be named "Scooter.“ Did you know that for centuries people did not know that this planet even existed, not until 1846 was the planet discovered. Pluto : No Longer Considered a Planet Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but when it was this was the smallest planet discovered in our solar system. It is now considered a dwarf planet. Pluto revolves around the sun in an oval, egg pattern instead of a circular like the other planets. Did you know that Pluto is the only planet to be named by a child? An 11 year old girl from England suggested this planet be named after a God of the Underworld. Other Components of The Solar System • Moons – That Bright Ball in the Night Sky • Comets- small, fragile, irregularly shaped bodies composed of a mixture of non-volatile grains and frozen gases. • Asteroids- an irregularly shaped rock that orbits the Sun. The End Test Time! Match each component of the solar system to it’s fact!