The Earth in the Solar System - Long Answer Questions
The sun, the moon, and all those objects shining in the night sky are called celestial bodies.
Some celestial bodies are very big and hot. They are made up of gases. They have their own heat and light, which they emit in large amounts. The Sun is a star.
Various patterns formed by different groups of stars are called constellations. Ursa Major or Big Bear is one such constellation.
It is a group of seven stars that forms a part of Ursa Major constellation. It is very easily recognizable.
They used stars. The North star indicates the north direction. It is also called the Pole Star. It remains in the same position in the sky.
Some celestial bodies do not have their own heat and light. They are lit by the light of the stars. The word 'planet' comes from the Greek word 'Planetai' which means 'wanderers'.
The sun, eight planets, satellites and some other celestial bodies known as asteroids and meteoroids form the solar system.
The sun is in the centre of the solar system. It is huge and made up of extremely hot gases. It provides the pulling force that binds the solar system. It is about 150 million km away from Earth.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. (My Very Efficient Mother Just Served Us Nuts).
Conditions favorable to support life are probably found only on the earth. It is neither too hot nor too cold. It has water and air, which are very essential for our survival.
From outer space, the earth appears blue because two-thirds of its surface is covered by water.
Our earth has only one satellite, that is, the moon. Its diameter is only one-quarter that of the earth.
Because it is nearer to our planet than other celestial bodies. It is about 3,84,400 km away from us.
About 27 days. It takes exactly the same time to complete one spin. As a result, only one side of the moon is visible to us on the earth.
Apart from stars, planets and satellites, there are numerous tiny bodies which also move around the sun. They are found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
The small pieces of rocks which move around the sun. Sometimes they come near the earth and tend to drop upon it. Friction with air causes them to heat up and burn (shooting star).
A huge system of billions of stars, and clouds of dust and gases. Our solar system is a part of the Milky Way galaxy (Akash Ganga).
Recent millions of such galaxies make up the Universe. It is difficult to imagine how big the universe is.
Because its size and shape are very much similar to that of the earth.
A celestial body that moves around the planets in the same way as the planets move around the sun.
The Earth in the Solar System - Important Facts
Full moon night is known as Poornima.
New moon night is known as Amavasya.
The sun is a star.
Constellations are patterns of stars.
Pole Star indicates North.
Planets do not have their own light.
Juptier, Saturn and Uranus have rings.
Rings are belts of small debris.
Sun is the ultimate source of heat and light for the solar system.
Light travels at the speed of 300,000 km per second.
Sunlight takes about 8 minutes to reach the earth.
Mercury is the nearest planet to the sun.
Venus is Earth's twin.
Earth is the third nearest planet to the sun.
Earth is the fifth largest planet.
Geoid means an Earth-like shape.
Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon (1969).
Moon has no life.
Moon has mountains, plains and depressions.
Shadows of mountains are visible on the full moon.
Asteroids are found between Mars and Jupiter.
Meteoroids are small pieces of rocks.
Milky Way galaxy is a cluster of millions of stars.
Ancient India imagined the galaxy as a river of light.
Human-made satellites are artificial bodies.
INSAT, IRS, EDUSAT are Indian satellites.
We can see full moon only once in a month.
Amavasya is the best night to observe the sky (if clear).
Pluto was considered a planet until 2006.
IAU reclassified Pluto as a 'dwarf planet'.
Orbits are elongated paths.
Mercury takes only 88 days to complete one round.
Inner planets are very close to the sun (made of rocks).
Outer planets are huge and made of gases and liquids.
Jupiter is the largest planet.
Mercury is the smallest planet.
Saturn has the most visible rings.
Uranus spins on its side.
Neptune is the farthest planet.
Solar system is 4.6 billion years old.
Sun contains 99.8% of the solar system's mass.
Earth spins West to East.
Venus spins East to West.
Moon's gravity causes tides.
Are we alone in the universe? Only Earth has life known so far.
Sol in Roman mythology is 'Sun God'.
Solar means 'related to the sun'.
Geography is an English word from Greek (Ge + Graphia).
Geology: Study of the earth.
Geometry: Measurement of the earth.
The Earth in the Solar System - Important Dates/Coordinates
Pluto declassified as a planet by IAU
Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon