Solar system

Question 0

2. astronomical unit

Answer 0

Distance within the solar system are so large that they cannot be easily measured in meters or kilometers. Instead , scientists often use a unit called the astronomical unit.

Question 1

1. solar system

Answer 1

Our solar system consist of the sun, the planets, their moons, and a variety of smaller objects.

Question 2

3. planet

Answer 2

There are many different objects in the solar system. How do you decide what is a planet and what isn’t in 2006 astronomers decide that a planet must be round orbit the sun and have cleared out the region of the solar system along its orbit.

Question 3

4. 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

5. asteroids

Answer 4

a small rocky body orbiting the sun. Large numbers of these, ranging in size from nearly 600 miles (1,000 km) across (Ceres) to dust particles, are found (as the asteroid belt ) especially between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, though some have more eccentric orbits, and a few pass close to the earth or enter the atmosphere as meteors.

Question 5

6. comets

Answer 5

a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.

Question 6

7. planetesimal

Answer 6

a minute planet; a body that could or did come together with many others under gravitation to form a planet.