This document provides an overview of our solar system through an interactive space odyssey. The journey begins by explaining how the heliocentric model and telescope led to the discovery of the solar system. It then explores the sun's characteristics and classifies the planets as terrestrial, gaseous, or dwarf. Details are given about each planet from Mercury to Neptune before concluding the odyssey.

1. Space Odyssey Come ExploretheSolar System!

2. Your MissionYou will take a journey through outer space. Along the way you will learn about our solar system and the objects in it. Be sure to keep an eye out for space creatures along the way.Click the shooting star to navigate through the pages. Hang on tight and lets go!

3. Discovery of the Solar SystemA model where the earth and other planets travel around the sun. What does Heliocentric mean?? Click the sun to find out!Nicolaus Copernicusdiscovered that our solar system was Heliocentric.

4. Discovery of the Solar SystemClick on the telescope to view more!Galileo Galileimade great improvements onthe construction of the telescope.

5. Discovery of the Solar SystemA telescope magnifies objects that are far away and allows us to see them clearly.Click on the magnify glass to see some object through a telescope.

6. Now that we know a little about how the Solar System was discovered, let’s see what we can find on our exploration!Hop aboard the rocket and get ready for take off! First stop—The Sun!

7. The SunAnswer the following questions about our sun. Click on the answer you think is correct. The sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. Our Sun is actually the closest star to Earth.The sun's strong gravitational pull holds Earth and the other planets in place.TrueFalseTrueFalseFalseTrue

8. The TerrestrialPlanetsA terrestrial planet is a planet that is primarily composed of rocks and/or metals. Click on the rock to see theterrestrial planets in our solar system.EarthMercuryVenusMarsHey! Those are also the four planets closest to the sun!

9. The GaseousPlanetsA gaseous planet is a planet that does not contain any of rocks and/or metals. Click on the gas flame to see the gaseous planets in our solar system.UranusJupiterSaturnNeptuneHey! Did you know that gaseous planets are also called Jovian planets, named for the gas giant Jupiter?

10. The DwarfPlanetsA dwarf planet is a object that is too small to be categorized as a planet but too large to be categorized as any other object. Three of the larger dwarf planets are found below. PlutoCeresErisHey! Did you know that the dwarf planet Pluto was the only planet to be named by a kid? Pluto used to be classified as a planet. It wasn’t until 2006 that it was changed to a dwarf planet.

11. Can you guess the order of the planets? Click on the planet name to see where it goes!Let’s take a closer look at each of the planets in the solar system. First stop -- Mercury!SaturnJupiterUranusEarthMarsNeptuneMercuryVenus

12. Mercury is the planet nearest to the sun.The sun appears 2 and a half times larger in Mercury's sky compared to the Earth's.Mercury

13. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system.The brightest of all planets, Venus, is also known as the Morning Star and the Evening Star.Venus

14. Earth is an oasis oflife in an otherwise desolate universe. The Earth's temperature, weather, atmosphere and many other factorsare just right to keepus alive. Earth

15. Mars excitesscientists because its mild temperament is more like the Earth's than any of the other planets. Mars has two moons, their names are Deimos and Phobos. Mars

16. Jupiter is by far the largest planet in our Solar System. The Earth could fit inside Jupiter more than 1000 times.Jupiter has 50 official moons.Jupiter

17. Saturn is the lightest planet in our Solar System. It is made up of mostly hydrogen and helium. Saturn

18. Uranus spins onits side. Uranus is an very cold planet. It is believedthat Uranus is made up of rockand ice.Uranus

19. For manycenturies people did not know that Neptune even existed. It was discovered by Johann Galle andHeinrich D'Arrestin 1846.Nep t une

20. Congratulations! Your space odyssey has come to an end.It is now time to return home. If you want to continue your exploration, click on the link for these websites. The are out of this world!Nasa Kids ClubAstronomy for Kids