Our Solar System

Science

A body of rock and metal that orbits the Sun

Asteroid

A body of rock and metal that orbits the Sun. Asteroids are small, rocky objects that mostly live in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

A body of ice, rock, and dust that orbits the Sun

Comet

A body of ice, rock, and dust that orbits the Sun. Comet. A comet is a glowing ball of ice and dust that travels through space and becomes visible when near the Sun.

A pattern or shape formed by a group of stars

Constellation

A pattern or shape formed by a group of stars. Constellation. In simple terms, a constellation is a group of stars in the sky that form recognizable shapes or patterns and are used in astronomy to identify areas of the night sky.

A massive system of stars, gases, and dust held together by gravity

Galaxy

A massive system of stars, gases, and dust held together by gravity. A galaxy is a huge collection of stars and other matter bound together by gravity.

The attractive force between all objects that have mass

Gravity

The attractive force between all objects that have mass. Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward each other, like how Earth pulls us down.

The distance light travels in a year: 9.5 trillion km

Light year

The distance light travels in a year 9.5 trillion km. light year. A light year is a unit of distance that measures how far light travels in one year in space.

A streak of light created when a meteoroid is heated by Earth’s atmosphere

Meteor

A streak of light created when a meteoroid is heated by Earths atmosphere. Meteor. A meteor is a bright trail of light in the sky caused by a space rock burning up as it enters Earth's atmosphere.

A natural body that revolves around a planet

Moon

A natural body that revolves around a planet is called a moon. Moons are celestial objects that orbit planets, like how our Moon orbits Earth.

Changes in the shape of the moon as seen from Earth

Moon phase

Changes in the shape of the moon as seen from Earth. Moon phase. Moon phase is the different shapes of the moon we see from Earth as it orbits around us.

The path of one body around another, like Earth’s orbit around the Sun

Orbit

The path of one body around another, like Earths orbit around the Sun. Orbit. An orbit is a regular, repeating path that an object in space follows around another object due to gravity.

A large body that revolves around the Sun or star

Planet

A large body that revolves around the Sun or star. A planet is a big round object in space that orbits a star like our Sun.

The motion of one body around another, like the Earth around the Sun

Revolution

The motion of one body around another, like the Earth around the Sun. Revolution. It is the circular or elliptical movement of one object around another, often seen in planetary orbits.

The turning of a planet on its axis

Rotation

The turning of a planet on its axis. Rotation. Rotation is the spinning of an object, like a planet, around an invisible line called an axis.

An object that moves around a larger object in space, like the moon around Earth

Satellite

An object that moves around a larger object in space, like the moon around Earth. Satellite. A satellite is an object in space that orbits another larger object, like a planet.

A group of planets and other objects that revolve around a sun

Solar system

A group of planets and other objects that revolve around a sun. Solar system. The solar system is a collection of planets, moons, and other bodies orbiting our star, the Sun.

A huge ball of very hot gases, like the Sun

Star

A huge ball of very hot gases, like the Sun. A star is a massive, glowing sphere of plasma that generates energy through nuclear fusion in its core.

The bright explosion of a dying super giant star

Supernova

The bright explosion of a dying super giant star. Supernova. A supernova is a powerful burst of light and energy that happens when a massive star explodes at the end of its life.

The daily rise and fall of the water level in the oceans

Tide

The daily rise and fall of the water level in the oceans. Tide. Tide is the movement of ocean water caused by gravitational forces from the moon and sun.

Everything that exists, including the stars, planets, and energy

Universe

Everything that exists, including the stars, planets, and energy. Universe. The universe is all of space and everything in it, from the tiniest particles to the vast array of galaxies.