Introduction
Did you know that the solar system is huge? It’s made up of eight planets and lots of smaller objects like asteroids and comets. Each planet is different, with its own unique characteristics. The sun is at the centre of the solar system, and everything orbits around it. If you’re curious about what makes up our solar system, or just want to learn more about each planet, read on! We’ve compiled some fun facts about each one for you.
Top Eight Fun Facts for Kids About the Solar System!
1. The solar system is massive!
The sun is huge, and so is Jupiter. In fact, the sun is about 333,000 times bigger than Jupiter! But if you put them side by side, Jupiter would look like a tiny dot next to the sun.
2. There are eight planets in the solar system
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are the planets that orbit the sun. Pluto used to be considered a planet too, but now it is classified as a “dwarf planet” because it is much smaller than the other planets and has a different orbit.
3. Each planet has its unique features
Each planet in the solar system has its own unique features. For example, Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and it has no atmosphere. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system because it has a thick atmosphere traps heat. Earth is the only planet that has liquid water on its surface. Mars is red because of all the iron oxide (rust) on its surface. Jupiter is the most giant planet and has a huge red spot that is a storm that has been raging for hundreds of years. Saturn has beautiful rings made of ice and dust particles. Uranus is tilted on its side and rotates in the opposite direction of most planets. Neptune is very cold and has a giant storm on its surface. Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it is so small and has an eccentric orbit.
4. The solar system also contains many moons.
Earth has one moon, but Jupiter has more than 60! The largest moon in the solar system is actually more significant than the planet Mercury. It’s called Ganymede, and it’s a satellite of Jupiter. Saturn has many moons, including Titan, which is larger than Mercury. Uranus also has several moons, the largest of which is called Titania. Neptune has 14 known moons, the largest of which is Triton. Pluto used to have a moon called Charon, but it was discovered that Charon is half the size of Pluto, so they are now considered a “double planet.”
5. There are also many asteroids in the solar system
Asteroids are small, rocky bodies that orbit the sun. Most of them are located in a region of space between Mars and Jupiter called the asteroid belt. There are thought to be millions of asteroids, but only about 1% have been discovered. The largest known asteroid is Ceres, about 940 kilometres in diameter.
6. Finally, there are comets
Comets are small, icy bodies that orbit the sun. They are usually made up of water, ice, dust and other frozen chemicals. Comets are thought to be leftovers from the formation of the solar system. The most famous comet is probably Halley’s Comet, which can be seen from Earth every 76 years.
7. All of these objects – planets, moons, asteroids and comets – orbit the sun
The sun is the centre of the solar system. It is a huge ball of gas that is so hot that it produces light and heat. The sun is huge – about 110 times the diameter of Earth. It is also cumbersome – about 333,000 times the mass of Earth. The sun contains 99.8% of all the mass in the solar system. The sun is so big and so bright that it’s hard to look at it with your eyes. You can use a filter or binoculars to look at the sun safely. You should never look at the sun without a filter because it can damage your eyes.
8. The sun is huge – about 109 times the diameter of Earth
The sun is the centre of the solar system. It is huge – about 109 times the diameter of Earth. It is also very bright because it is so hot. The surface of the sun is about 5500 degrees Celsius. That’s hot enough to melt metals! The sun is a star. It is made of gas and produces its own heat and light. Stars are huge balls of gas that produce their own heat and light. Our sun is just an ordinary star. There are billions of other stars in the universe.
How to make a solar system project at home with kids!
What you will need:
-A regular size balloon
-A small balloon
-Tape
-Scissors
-Ruler or a yardstick
-A black Sharpie marker
-A Pushpin or a thumbtack
Instructions:
1. Inflate the regular size balloon to about 8 inches in diameter and knot it off. This will be the sun.
2. Cut the small balloon in half. These will be your planets.
3. Tape one half of the small balloon to the regular size balloon. This will be Mercury.
4. Repeat step 3 four more times, leaving some space between each planet, for Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter.
5. Once all five planets taped to the sun, use the Sharpie marker to draw on some features. Add a smiley face to the sun and some craters to the planets.
6. Finally, use the pushpin or thumbtack to make a small hole in the sun. This will be your black hole.
7. Hang your mobile from the ceiling or a light fixture and enjoy!
8. To remove, simply pop the balloons and dispose of them.
9. Have fun with the kids!
Conclusion
Although it can be daunting to learn about everything our solar system has to offer, hopefully, this article has shown you that there are many amazing and interesting facts out there for both kids and parents alike. With a bit of exploration and some help from the experts, parents can arm their children with knowledge about the planets, stars, and beyond. So get ready to blast off on an adventure through space! Are there any other fun facts about space or our solar system that you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below.
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