Solar System Basics
What is at the center of our solar system?
The Sun
This planet is known as the "Red Planet"
Mars
Small, rocky objects found between Mars and Jupiter
Asteroids
This force keeps the Moon in orbit around Earth
Gravity
This event occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun
Solar Eclipse
What keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
Gravity
This planet has the most extensive ring system
Saturn
A ball of rock and ice that orbits the Sun and has a glowing tail
The shape of Earth's orbit around the Sun
Elliptical
Known as the "Morning Star" or "Evening Star"
Venus
What is the name of the only natural satellite of Earth?
The Moon
Known as the "Blue Planet"
Earth
The path a planet takes as it revolves around the Sun
An orbit
The effect of gravity on astronauts in space
Weightlessness or microgravity
When Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow
Lunar eclipse
The closest planet to the Sun
Mercury
The largest planet in the solar system
Jupiter
These icy bodies release gas and dust as they approach the Sun
Comets
The force that pulls objects toward the surface of a planet
Gravitational pull
The phenomenon that causes tides on Earth
The Moon's gravitational pull
The galaxy that contains our solar system.
Often called Earth's twin due to its similar size and brightness.
Venus
The planets farthest from the Sun are called this
Outer planets
Without gravity, this would happen to the planets in the solar system
Drift away or fly into space
The reason Pluto is no longer considered a planet
It does not meet the criteria for clearing its orbit (also it's too small and far away from Earth)