Solar system is a collection of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, dust and gas that orbit our local star, the sun. Which revolves around the sun as its central star. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the rocky inner planets. That are a part of this group. Jupiter and Saturn are the gas giants. And Uranus and Neptune are the ice giants.
The four inner planets, the asteroid belt, the four gas giants, the disk-shaped Kuiper Belt. And far beyond, the teardrop-shaped heliopause are all part of the solar system. Which extends outward from the sun, which the ancient Romans referred to as Sol. The solar system ends far beyond the heliopause. According to calculations made by scientists, the farthest point in the solar system. It is located approximately 9 billion miles (or 15 billion kilometers) from the sun. After passing through the heliopause, one arrives at the enormous. Also, spherical Oort Cloud, which is believed to envelop the solar system.
A massive cloud of dust and gas known as the solar nebula began to build. What would eventually become the sun and planets some 4.6 billion years ago. When it began to collapse in on itself and begin to form what would eventually become the solar system. Scientists have been able to determine the age of the solar system with the assistance of meteorites. Which are fragments of space rock that have landed on Earth.
How did our Solar System Form?
Scientists believe that the collapse of the solar nebula was caused by a nearby exploding star known as a supernova. This event is responsible for the formation of the solar system. According to this theory, the explosion sent shock waves through space. And those shock waves brought different parts of the nebula closer together. Which ultimately led to the collapse of the structure.
According to a recent study by Live Science. The explosion may have even contributed material to the nebula by acting as a seed. For example, according to a post by Live Science’s sister site Space.com. Researchers have discovered that aluminum-26, an element that can only be created in the cores of stars. Most likely came from a succession of supernovas that occurred in the neighborhood.
The Sun
According to research conducted at the University of California in San Diego. The sun occupies a central position in the solar system and is its most massive component. Sun is responsible for approximately 99.8 percent of the total mass of the solar system. The sun is a massive, blazing ball of fire that is driven by nuclear reactions. And it is the source of the energy that allows for life to continue on Earth. According to NASA, the yellow dwarf star is composed entirely of gas. With hydrogen making up approximately 91 percent and helium making up approximately 8.9 percent. This Sun is not very massive when compared to other stars. And it is only one of hundreds of billions of other stars that make up the Milky Way. Which is the galaxy in which we live.
According to NASA, the distance between the sun and the core of our galaxy is around 26,000 light years. The Milky Way is an example of a spiral galaxy. Which is characterized by curved arms of stars that extend outward from their center. This Orion-Cygnus Arm, also referred to as just the Orion Arm. It is one of the smaller arms, and it is in this arm that the solar system may be found.
When compared to the solar system, the Milky Way is an enormous galaxy. According to the Night Sky Network of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. If the solar system were as large as the palm of your hand. Milky Way would cover an area equal to that of North America.
Mercury
Mercury is nearest the sun. At 3,032 miles (4,879 kilometers) in diamete. It’s only slightly larger than Earth’s moon and has no moons. Mercury’s surface temperatures can reach 800 F (427 C). During the day and minus 290 F (minus 179 C) at night because it has no atmosphere to shelter it from the sun’s radiation. The planet Mercury was called after the Roman gods’ messenger because of its fast orbit.
Venus
Venus, named after the Roman goddess of love, is the solar system’s hottest planet. Its thick atmosphere traps heat, allowing surface temperatures to exceed 880 F. (471 C). Venus is smaller than Earth and possesses a molten iron core, according to NASA.
2020: Astronomers detect phosphine in Venus’ atmosphere. On Earth, this chemical virtually usually created by living things. Therefore experts question if Venus’ clouds house life. Other research suggests that it would be very difficult for any species to thrive in such a horrible place. Due to the lack of liquid water.
Earth
Earth is the only planet known to have life. Water makes it habitable. The Earth circles at the optimal distance from the sun to have liquid water. If it were closer, the water would evaporate, and if it were farther, the water would freeze. 71% of Earth’s surface is water. And Earth’s atmosphere shelters it from solar radiation.
The only godless planet is Earth. The English and German words for “ground” presumably inspired Earth’s name. This largest of the four rocky planets in the solar system has one moon. Scientists believe Earth’s moon developed when a massive object smashed into the young planet.
Mars
Mars’ rusty tint is due to iron-rich dust covering its surface. Ancient Romans named Mars after their battle god because of its crimson color.
The Mars’ Olympus Mons is the solar system’s largest volcano. The planet Mars has a scant atmosphere, therefore temperatures average – 80 F. (minus 60 C).
Some scientists believe Mars still has liquid water on its surface, which might support life as we know it. Phobos may have evolved from old rings around Mars, and Deimos may have knocked into orbit by an ancient moon.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the sun’s largest planet. The Jupiter is a helium-hydrogen gas giant. Unlike the inner planets. Named after the Roman god king (also known as Zeus in the Greek pantheon).
The planet Jupiter is twice as huge as all the other planets in the solar system combined. But it has the shortest day of any planet, turning in 10 hours (opens in new tab). This plant has dozens of moons and dusty rings. Deep in the planet’s atmosphere, extreme pressure and temperatures have compressed hydrogen gas into a liquid, NASA says.
Saturn
Saturn is the second-largest planet in the solar system. The planet Saturn’s rings are famous. This planet is a helium-hydrogen gas giant planet and the least dense planet. It’s rings consist of ice and rocks. NASA says Saturn’s moons range in size from a football field to Mercury. Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, has an icy ocean that astronomers suggest could support life.
Uranus
William Herschel found Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, using a telescope in 1781. The ice giant consists of water, methane, and ammonia ice.
Uranus “rolls” like a ball as it rounds the sun, unlike other planets in the solar system. The planet Uranus’ methane-filled atmosphere renders it green-blue. 13 rings and 27 moons around Earth. It’s the only planet named for a Greek rather than a Roman deity, Ouranos.
Neptune
Neptune discovered in 1846. Scientists predicted the planet’s existence because of its effect on Uranus’ orbit.
Cornell University says it takes 4.15 hours for sunlight to reach Neptune, named for the Roman sea god. (Sunlight reaches Earth in eight minutes.) NASA says Neptune receives 900 times less light than Earth.
Neptune has a small rocky core surrounded by water, methane, and ammonia. Strong winds propel frozen methane clouds at 1,200 mph (2,000 km/h). One of Neptune’s moons rediscovered after 20 years.