Introducing The Solar System

Question 0

Astronomical Unit (AU)

Answer 0

A unit of distance equal to the average distance between Earth and the sun, about 150 million kilometers.

Question 1

Solar System

Answer 1

The system consisting of the sun and the planets and other objects that revolve around it.

Question 2

Planet

Answer 2

A planet must be round, orbit the sun, and have cleared out the region of the solar system along its orbit

Question 3

Dwarf Planet

Answer 3

A dwarf planet is an object that orbits the sun, and has enough gravity to be spherical, but has not cleared the area of its orbit.

Question 4

Asteroids

Answer 4

One of the rocky objects revolving around the sun that are too small and numerous to be considered planets.

Question 5

Comets

Answer 5

A loose collection of ice and dust that orbits the sun, typically in a long, narrow orbit.

Question 6

Planetesimal

Answer 6

One of the small asteroid like bodies that formed the building blocks of the planets.