1 | P a g e
Explore our Solar system: A Journey Through Space
_____________________________________________________________________________
The sun
It is the center of our solar system, the huge star that provides light and heat to all objects that orbit around
it. The sun is so large that it contains 99.8% of the entire solar system's mass. The sun is about 150 million
kilometers from Earth and it takes about 8 minutes for the sun's light to reach us.
Mercury
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system, only slightly larger than Earth's moon. Mercury has no
atmosphere and its surface is covered with craters created by meteorite impacts. Mercury has a very extreme
temperature range, reaching -180 °C at night and 430 °C during the day.
Venus
Venus is sometimes called Earth's twin because it is similar in size and mass to our planet. But Venus is very
different from Earth in other ways. Venus has a dense atmosphere of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds
that trap heat and create a greenhouse effect. With an average temperature of 462 °C, Venus is the hottest
planet in the solar system.
Earth
Earth is the only planet in the solar system with liquid water on its surface to support life. Earth has a thin
atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen that protects us from harmful radiation and meteorites. The Earth has
one natural satellite, the Moon, which revolves around the Earth every 27 days.
Mars
Mars is often called the red planet because of its rusty color. Mars has a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide
and dust storms that could blanket the entire planet. Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, which
are thought to have been captured by asteroids. The surface of Mars has some interesting features such as
volcanoes, canyons, and polar ice sheets.
2 | P a g e
Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, at over 11 times the size of Earth. Jupiter is a gas giant. Jupiter
has no solid surface and is mostly composed of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter has at least 79 moons,
including four large moons named Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Jupiter also has a powerful magnetic
field and ring system.
Saturn
Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings made up of ice and rock particles. Saturn is also a gas giant with a thick
atmosphere of hydrogen and helium. Saturn has at least 82 moons, one with a dense atmosphere called Titan
and another with geysers called Enceladus.
Uranus
Uranus is an ice giant, which means it has a rocky core surrounded by a layer of ice and gas. Uranus has a
unique feature: it rotates on its side, which means its poles are where most planets have their equators.
Uranus has 27 moons and 13 rings.
Neptune
Neptune is also an ice giant with a similar structure to Uranus. Neptune has very strong winds, reaching
speeds of up to 2,100 km/h. Neptune has 14 moons and 6 rings. One of its moons, Triton, has a thin
atmosphere and nitrogen geysers.
Beyond Neptune are many small bodies that orbit the Sun in the Kuiper Belt region. Some of these objects
are classified as dwarf planets, such as Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. These dwarf planets are very cold
and have low gravity. Some of them even have their own satellites.
Our solar system is a great place to explore and learn. There are so many mysteries and wonders waiting to
be discovered by curious people like you.
Waiting to be discovered

A short journey to space.pdf

  • 1.
    1 | Pa g e Explore our Solar system: A Journey Through Space _____________________________________________________________________________ The sun It is the center of our solar system, the huge star that provides light and heat to all objects that orbit around it. The sun is so large that it contains 99.8% of the entire solar system's mass. The sun is about 150 million kilometers from Earth and it takes about 8 minutes for the sun's light to reach us. Mercury Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system, only slightly larger than Earth's moon. Mercury has no atmosphere and its surface is covered with craters created by meteorite impacts. Mercury has a very extreme temperature range, reaching -180 °C at night and 430 °C during the day. Venus Venus is sometimes called Earth's twin because it is similar in size and mass to our planet. But Venus is very different from Earth in other ways. Venus has a dense atmosphere of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds that trap heat and create a greenhouse effect. With an average temperature of 462 °C, Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. Earth Earth is the only planet in the solar system with liquid water on its surface to support life. Earth has a thin atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen that protects us from harmful radiation and meteorites. The Earth has one natural satellite, the Moon, which revolves around the Earth every 27 days. Mars Mars is often called the red planet because of its rusty color. Mars has a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide and dust storms that could blanket the entire planet. Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are thought to have been captured by asteroids. The surface of Mars has some interesting features such as volcanoes, canyons, and polar ice sheets.
  • 2.
    2 | Pa g e Jupiter Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, at over 11 times the size of Earth. Jupiter is a gas giant. Jupiter has no solid surface and is mostly composed of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter has at least 79 moons, including four large moons named Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Jupiter also has a powerful magnetic field and ring system. Saturn Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings made up of ice and rock particles. Saturn is also a gas giant with a thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium. Saturn has at least 82 moons, one with a dense atmosphere called Titan and another with geysers called Enceladus. Uranus Uranus is an ice giant, which means it has a rocky core surrounded by a layer of ice and gas. Uranus has a unique feature: it rotates on its side, which means its poles are where most planets have their equators. Uranus has 27 moons and 13 rings. Neptune Neptune is also an ice giant with a similar structure to Uranus. Neptune has very strong winds, reaching speeds of up to 2,100 km/h. Neptune has 14 moons and 6 rings. One of its moons, Triton, has a thin atmosphere and nitrogen geysers. Beyond Neptune are many small bodies that orbit the Sun in the Kuiper Belt region. Some of these objects are classified as dwarf planets, such as Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. These dwarf planets are very cold and have low gravity. Some of them even have their own satellites. Our solar system is a great place to explore and learn. There are so many mysteries and wonders waiting to be discovered by curious people like you. Waiting to be discovered