The Sun and Its Planetary System
Our solar system is full of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, all in motion around the Sun. Most of these components are separated from each other by great distances. Each planet has its own distinct characteristics. Comets, icy debris, and dwarf planets travel at the outermost reaches of our solar system.
Before getting started, let's take a moment to stop and see what we already know about the planets in our solar system:
Your predictions should be recorded in your individual Google document, Space Exploration – The Sun and Its Planetary System.
Once you have finished your brainstorming you should move on to Time to Research portion of this activity. While you are reading the notes below and watching the videos, you should be making notes in your individual Google Document, Space Exploration – Personal Notes, if you prefer you can record your "personal notes" on paper.
- How many planets are there? How many of them are you able to name? What are their names?
- Do you know the order of the planets from the Sun? Do they always remain in the same order?
- Can you describe any of the planets?
- What makes a planet a planet? What makes it a dwarf planet?
Your predictions should be recorded in your individual Google document, Space Exploration – The Sun and Its Planetary System.
Once you have finished your brainstorming you should move on to Time to Research portion of this activity. While you are reading the notes below and watching the videos, you should be making notes in your individual Google Document, Space Exploration – Personal Notes, if you prefer you can record your "personal notes" on paper.
Important Terms
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Time to Research (Read, Watch, and Take Notes)
Our Sun, an average star in the universe, is the center of our solar system. Our solar system is full of planets, moons, asteroids and comets, all of which revolve around the Sun at the center.
When a star forms from a nebula, gravity pulls most of the material into the new star, but some may also clump together to form objects in a solar system. A planet is a celestial body that orbits one or more stars. Each planet may also spin on its axis (rotates) while it orbits the Sun (revolves).
Our solar system formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago. The four inner, rocky planets (aka terrestrial planets) in the first 100 million years on the Sun’s existence, while the outer, gaseous planets (aka Jovian planets) formed later from the remnants of the Sun’s original nebula.
When a star forms from a nebula, gravity pulls most of the material into the new star, but some may also clump together to form objects in a solar system. A planet is a celestial body that orbits one or more stars. Each planet may also spin on its axis (rotates) while it orbits the Sun (revolves).
Our solar system formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago. The four inner, rocky planets (aka terrestrial planets) in the first 100 million years on the Sun’s existence, while the outer, gaseous planets (aka Jovian planets) formed later from the remnants of the Sun’s original nebula.
The Formation of the Solar SystemOur solar system was formed more than 4.5 billion years ago. As the Sun burst into existence, the leftover material combined to form eight planets and numerous other planetary bodies: moons, asteroids, and comets. Closest to the Sun are the inner planets (terrestrial planets) and further away are the outer planets (gaseous giants).
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Protoplanet Hypothesis
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The SunThe sun contains more than 99% of all the solar system's mass. It has an approximate mass of 700 times the mass of all eight planets in our solar system. It's diameter is roughly 1.4 million kilometers (1 380 000 km). Otherwise it can be described as 110 times the diameter of the Earth. This means in a 2-dimensional diagram, there would be 110 Earth's that fit across the diameter of the Sun. Even more astounding, this means that approximately 1.3 million Earths would fit inside the Sun.
It's exterior temperature is approximately 5500 degrees Celsius, while it's internal, core, temperature is approximately 15 000 000 degrees Celsius. The composition of our star is mainly hydrogen gas, the most common element in space. In the sun hydrogen atoms will fuse to form helium atoms; this radiates energy outward. This is called a nuclear reaction called fusion.
The sun is a complex system of bubbling gases that occasionally send out spectacular explosions and violent solar flares. It has no solid surface but many distinct features.
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Will the Sun burn out?
Yes! When all the hydrogen has turned to helium. Every second, 572 million tons of hydrogen are turned into 571 million tons of helium. The other million become energy.
Estimated time remaining: 4.5 million years |
Features of the Sun
Diagram of the Sun
Chromosphere |
Photosphere |
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Corona |
Surface |
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Solar Wind
Energetic gases in the corona are ejected in a sudden burst. When these high energy particles rush past the Earth they create solar winds. These winds are deflected by the magnetic field around the Earth’s poles.
Solar winds are make of protons (nuclei from hydrogen molecules) travelling at speeds of about 1 million kilometers per hour. These are the particles that interact with our atmosphere to create the aurora borealis or the Northern Lights. Sometimes these winds can disrupt satellites and temporarily knock out power supplies to Earth.
Solar winds are make of protons (nuclei from hydrogen molecules) travelling at speeds of about 1 million kilometers per hour. These are the particles that interact with our atmosphere to create the aurora borealis or the Northern Lights. Sometimes these winds can disrupt satellites and temporarily knock out power supplies to Earth.
The Planets
To be considered a planet the body must orbit one or more stars, be large enough that its own gravity holds it in a spherical shape, and be the only body occupying the orbital path.
Inner Planets
Mercury
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Venus
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Earth
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Mars
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Outer Planets
Jupiter |
Saturn |
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Uranus
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Neptune
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Pluto - the Dwarf Planet
Why does it not fit into other categories of planets?
Pluto's Orbit (in Yellow)
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Pluto
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Other Solar System Bodies
Moons
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Asteroids
Comets
Comet Tail Diagram
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Trans-Neptunian Objects
Anything that orbits the sun past Neptune are considered Trans-Neptunian objects. Scientists believe there are about 23 objects orbiting in the Kuiper Belt. Some of these objects or dwarf planets are:
- Pluto
- Ersis in the Kuiper belt
Oort Cloud
At the farthest reaches of the Suns gravitational influence is a spherical cloud of small icy fragments of debris called the Oort Cloud. It is another source of comets. It is approximately 1/4 the distance to the next closest star.
Summary of the Planets
Inner Planets
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Outer Planets
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Dwarf Planets
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Inner Planets
Outer Planets
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Dwarf Planets
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Facts on the Sun and the Planetary System
Time Trivia
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Natural or Human
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- Longest Day in the Solar System: Venus at 243 Earth Days
- Shortest Day in the Solar System: Jupiter at 9.9 hours
- Longest Year in the Solar System: Neptune at 165 years (Pluto is 248 years)
- Shortest Year in the Solar System: Mercury at 88 days
Videos
- The Amazing 4K Footage of our Sun - by Seeker
- Seeing Inside the Sun - by SpaceRip
- Fiery Looping Rain on Sun - by NASA Goddard
- Sun 101 - by National Geographic
- Solar System 101 - by National Geographic
- Solar System Exploration: 50 Years and Counting | Nat Geo Live - by National Geographic
- How The Mysterious Planet 9 Is Tilting Our Solar System - by Seeker
- Why Are the Inner and Outer Planets Different? - by SciShow Space
- Formation of Planets in a Protoplanetary Disk - by NASA Video
Check-In - To Be Completed Before Moving On
Let's have a check in. Take the time to answer the questions provided to you; record your answers on the worksheet provided. (You should be able to answer the questions without having to refer to your notes).