Solar System - The collection of planets, moons, and other objects that orbit the Sun.

Galaxy - A system of stars bound together by gravity.
Orbit - The round path one object takes around another object.

Glossary

Glossary

Magnetic Field - An area of an object that attracts or pushes away other objects.

Atmosphere - Different gasses that surround a planet.

Airless - Without wind or breeze.

Gaseous - Having the characteristics of a gas.

Stars are found all throughout our solar system and in our galaxy, the Milky Way. Stars are very hot, and that is what makes them so bright. 

There are over 200 billion stars in our galaxy, and stars come in all different sizes and colors. For example, stars can be white, yellow, orange, red, and even blue!

The blue stars are the warmest, and the red stars are the coldest! 

Star

The Sun is the biggest star in our solar system, and all of the planets orbit around it. The Sun is also a very old star, and it was born 4.6 billion years ago!

The Sun is at the center of our solar system, and it has something called a magnetic field that pulls all of the other parts of the solar system towards it. This is what makes our solar system look round in shape!

The Sun

The first four planets in our solar system are called the inner planets or the rocky planets.

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and it is very small and fast. Venus is larger than mercury and has a thick atmosphere that traps heat, making it the hottest planet. Next comes Earth, our home planet, and it is the only planet with liquid water and living things! The last of the rocky planets is Mars, which is red and very dusty and cold.

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Asteroids are rocky, airless objects that orbit the Sun. There are currently over one million asteroids in our solar system! Sometimes, small pieces of asteroids will enter Earth, and this is what we call shooting stars.

Asteroids are often found in between the rocky, inner planets and the gaseous, outer planets. This area is known as the Asteroid Belt.