Our Solar System

What are Galaxies? A collection of nebulae, stars and dust that form a solar system.

Spiral

Elliptical

Irregular

What are Nebulae? Nebula are cosmic clouds of gas and dust floating in space. Nebulae are the basic building blocks of the universe. They contain the elements from which stars and solar systems are built.

The Bad Astronomer Nebulae

What are Stars?

A star is a huge ball of gas, with a central core that is very hot and produces lots of energy. A star is held together by gravity.

What are stars made from?

What is the Solar System? The Solar System is made up of all the planets, moons, comets and asteroids that orbit our Sun.

How did the Solar System form?

What are Asteroids? Asteroids are small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter). They are shaped like a star.

Click on diagram for 3D version of asteroids.

What are Comets? A comet is made of dirty ice, dust and gas. When a comet gets close to the Sun, part of the ice starts to melt. The melted ice moves away from the comet forming its tail.

Click on pictures for video links.

What are Moons? A solid object that orbits a body other than the Sun.

Phases of the MoonClick on picture for video link

What are Planets? Planets are any of the large bodies that revolve around the sun in the solar system.

Is Pluto really a planet?

The movement of all the components

Click on diagram