Download Components of the Solar System

Components of Space
Universe

All of space that includes many galaxies
Galaxy
A system of stars mixed with gas and
dust.
 We are part of the Milky Way Galaxy,
which is a spiral galaxy.
 The next closest galaxy is called
Andromeda.


There are approximately 200 billion
stars in our galaxy.
Solar System

The solar system includes the sun and all
the bodies that orbit around it.
Planet

A spherical body
that orbits
around the sun
and has its own
gravity
Put the following in order from
largest to smallest:
Solar System
Universe
Galaxy
Universe
Galaxy
Solar System
Planet
Planet
Inner Planets

These are known as terrestrial planets
because they are dense and rocky
 Mercury
 Venus
 Earth
 Mars
Asteroid & Asteroid Belt


Asteroid – A large
rock which is
smaller than a
planet and orbits the
sun
Asteroid Belt –
asteroids that
revolve around the
sun between the
orbits of Mars and
Jupiter
Outer Planets

These are known as the gas giants
because they are very large and mostly
made of gas
 Jupiter
 Saturn
 Uranus
 Neptune
Dwarf Planet - Pluto

Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet
because it is very small
Solar System Diagram
Moon
A naturally
occurring
satellite orbiting
around a planet
 Some planets
have more than
1 moon

A massive ball
of luminous gas
that are held
together by their
own gravity
 A star creates its
own light
 The life cycle of
a star is
determined by
its mass.

Star
Constellation

A group of stars that form a pattern in the
sky
Comet

An icy body that releases gas or dust and
has a long oval orbit
Meteoroids & Meteor & Meteorites

Meteoroid – a
chunk of rock or
dust that usually
comes from
comets or
asteroids


Meteor – a
meteoroid that
enters Earth’s
atmosphere and
completely burns
Meteorite – a
small rock that
lands on earth
from space
Additional Links



http://www.kidsastronomy.co
m/solar_system.htm
http://science.nationalgeogr
aphic.com/science/space/sol
ar-system
http://www.nasm.si.edu/rese
arch/ceps/etp/etp.htm
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Which planets are terrestrial and which
planets are gas planets?