System
Our solar system's gravity is caused primarily by what celestial object?
The Sun
The Gas Giants are much larger compared to the smaller, inner planets, meaning that they have a stronger _________________.
Gravitational pull
This planet is the closest to the Sun and can only be viewed at certain portions of the day along the horizons.
Mercury
Name 3 other celestial objects other than the main 8 planets and the Sun.
Asteroid
Comets
Dwarf Planets
Moons
The Sun is roughly about how much percentage of the entire solar system's mass? Be within 0.3% of the answer.
99.8%
Define gravity.
The force of attraction between two objects with mass.
Due to their greater distance from the Sun, the outer planets orbit the Sun at a ____________ pace compared to the ones closer to the Sun.
slower
What two neighboring planets are farthest from EACH OTHER?
Uranus and Neptune
Name 2 of the 3 requirements that must be must for a celestial object to be a planet. (Bonus Points if you name all 3)
1) Directly orbits the Sun
2) Has a spherical shape
3) Clears the neighborhood of its orbit
What are two examples of artificial satellites.
International Space Station
GPS Satellites
Hubble Space Telescope
1 Astronomical Unit (AU) is equal to what?
The distance between the Earth and Sun.
What happens to the gravitational force when there is an increase in the distance between objects?
It will become weaker.
This is the only planet that is not visible to us on Earth with the naked eye.
Neptune
Why isn't Pluto considered a planet anymore?
It does not clear its orbit. (Kuiper Belt)
When you hear the term "natural satellite", what is it referring to?
Not man-made celestial objects
Moons
Planets
Dwarf Planets
Etc...
1.5 AU
If the gravity of the Sun were to completely disappear, what would happen to the planets and other objects orbiting it?
They would shoot out in a straight-line since nothing is pulling to keep them close.
Planets are named after the same type of things. If Planet X is real, then what would it be named after?
Roman and Greek Gods
What causes a comet to have a tail as it orbits the Sun?
The Ice and Dust fly off and when it gets closer to the Sun, It starts to heat up, giving it the tail look.
Why don't the planets Mercury and Venus have moons, but the dwarf planet of Pluto has 5?
They are too close to the Sun, so they would instead get pulled into the Sun.
These two forces interact and cause planets to orbit a star.
Gravity and Inertia
Dwarf Planets typically have more wild orbital paths. Theorize why using your knowledge of gravity, where most dwarf planets are, and what makes something a dwarf planet.
They are small enough and typically far from the Sun, meaning that the gravitational pull from the Gas Giants has a greater effect on them. They also exist inside asteroid belts which can cause impacts and shifts in the forces on them.
The planet Mercury is barely bigger than the dwarf planet Pluto, but it is still considered a planet. Why?
It clears the neighborhood of its orbit.
All dwarf planets but one exist outside Neptune in our solar system. What is that one dwarf planet? (BONUS if you can name where it is)
Ceres (Asteroid Belt)
Which planet in our solar system has the most moons AND how many are there? (Be within 4 to get correct)
Jupiter (95 moons)