14. Solar system Flashcards
Describe the only star in our solar system.
The sun is a star made up of a very hot ball of gas that gives off heat and light.
What constitutes the solar system?
The star and all objects that orbit around it.
Names the 8 planets
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
How are planets different to stars.
Planets don’t give out heat and light (but only reflect some of it)
Name the shape of an orbit around the sun.
Ellipse
What are asteroids?
Chunks of rock that travel around the sun.
Where do we find the asteroid belt?
Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Name the 4 rocky planets.
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.
What is a moon?
A rocky object that orbits a planet.
Which planet has no atmosphere (an average temp of 168 C and some evidence of ice)?
Mercury
Which planet has a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide which traps the suns heat and makes it extremely hot (500 C)?
Venus
Which planet is known as the ‘blue planet’ and why?
Earth because of the water in the oceans and atmosphere appear blue from space.
Which is the ‘red planet’ and why?
Mars because its covered in red dust.
Which planet is so big that all the others could fit inside it?
Jupiter
Which planet has rings made from frozen water
Saturn
