Our Solar System

Science

a body of rock and metal that orbits the Sun

Asteroid explained in an easy to understand way.

The average distance between Earth and the Sun, about 150 million km, or 93 million miles

Astronomical unit

The average distance between Earth and the Sun, about 150 million km, or 93 million miles, is called an astronomical unit. An astronomical unit is a standard measurement used by scientists to describe distances in space.

the imaginary line around which Earth rotates, it runs through Earth from pole to pole

Axis explained in an easy to understand way.

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

Comet explained in an easy to understand way.

a pattern or shape formed by a group of stars

Constellation explained in an easy to understand way.

The outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere

Corona

The outermost layer of the Suns atmosphere. Corona. It is the Sun's outer atmosphere that is visible during a solar eclipse.

An event where one object in space passes through the shadow of another object

Eclipse

An event where one object in space passes through the shadow of another object. An eclipse is when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another, blocking sunlight.

The two days a year when the Sun is directly over the equator, making day and night equal

Equinox

The two days a year when the Sun is directly over the equator, making day and night equal. Equinox. An equinox is when the length of day and night are nearly the same because the Sun is directly above the equator.

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

Galaxy explained in an easy to understand way.

a large planet made up mostly of gases, like Jupiter or Saturn

Gas giant explained in an easy to understand way.

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 meteoroid that lands on the surface of Earth, a moon, or a planet

Meteorite

A meteoroid that lands on the surface of Earth, a moon, or a planet. Meteorite. A meteorite is a rock from space that survives its fiery journey through the atmosphere to reach a planet's surface.

changes in the shape of the moon as seen from Earth

Moon phase explained in an easy to understand way.

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

Orbit explained in an easy to understand way.

A region of lighter shadow around the darkest part of a shadow

Penumbra

A region of lighter shadow around the darkest part of a shadow. Penumbra. In Science, a penumbra is the lighter part of a shadow where some light still reaches, surrounding the darkest part called the umbra.

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

Revolution explained in an easy to understand way.

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

Solar system explained in an easy to understand way.

The twice yearly event when the Sun reaches its greatest distance North or South of the equator

Solstice

The twice yearly event when the Sun reaches its greatest distance North or South of the equator. Solstice is when the Earth's tilt makes the Sun appear at its highest or lowest point in the sky.

A spot on the Sun which appears darker because it is not as hot as other areas

Sunspot

A spot on the Sun which appears darker because it is not as hot as other areas. Sunspot. Sunspots are cooler regions on the Sun's surface caused by magnetic activity, leading to their darker appearance.

One of the four rocky planets of the inner solar system, Mercury, Venus, Earth or Mars

Terrestrial planet

One of the four rocky planets of the inner solar system, Mercury, Venus, Earth, or Mars, is a terrestrial planet. A terrestrial planet is a planet made mostly of rock and metal with a solid surface.

The darkest part of a shadow

Umbra

The darkest part of a shadow. Umbra. The umbra is the fully shaded, darkest section of a shadow, where the light source is completely blocked.

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

Universe explained in an easy to understand way.