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The Solar System
(The Important Book)
All the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The solar system is the sun and the objects that orbit around it. An orbit is the path an object takes as it moves around another object in space.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The solar system has eight planets. A planet is a large body of rock or gas that orbits around the sun.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The solar system also has many moons. Moons are large, rocky objects that orbit planets. Some planets have no moons, and others have one or more moons.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
There are four inner planets. The planet closest to the sun is Mercury. The surface is rocky with many craters. In the daytime, Mercury’s surface is hot enough to melt lead.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The planet second in line from the sun is Venus. Venus has a rocky surface that is constantly covered by thick clouds. Venus rotates backward compared with most of the other planets.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The planet third from the sun is Earth. Earth is the planet we live on. It is the only planet known to support life. The Earth’s surface is mostly water.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The fourth planet from the sun is Mars. Mars is extremely dusty. The soil contains large amounts of iron, which gives the planet a rusty look.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The four planets farthest from the sun are called the outer planets. The fifth planet from the sun is Jupiter. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Jupiter is like a giant vacuum cleaner in space, sucking up pieces of space debris.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
Sixth from the sun is Saturn. Saturn is the second biggest planet. The most striking thing about Saturn is its seven rings. Saturn is a gas giant. If you could find an ocean big enough to drop Saturn into, the planet would float.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The planet seventh in line from the sun is Uranus. Uranus has 15 moons and 10 rings. It looks blue green when viewed through a telescope. Uranus spins on its side.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
The eighth planet from the sun is Neptune. Long wispy clouds race around Neptune. They are blown by the fastest winds found on any planet in the solar system. Neptune’s bluish appearance comes from the methane gas in its atmosphere.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
Astronomers have classified Pluto as a dwarf planet. Dwarf means “small.” Pluto is made of ice. It has a moon almost as large as it is. It takes Pluto 249 years to orbit the sun.
Comets are chunks of dirty grit. They spend most of their time far from the sun.
Other objects found in the solar system are comets, asteroids, and meteorites.
Asteroids are large pieces of rock and metal. Most asteroids can be found between Mars and Jupiter in a region called the asteroid belt.
Meteorites are fragments of comets or asteroids that enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Meteors burn up in the atmosphere while meteorites actually land on the Earth’s surface.
But the most important thing is all the planets orbit in a predictable pattern around the sun.
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