Our Solar System

Our Solar System

The Sun is located at the center of our solar system. The sun is actually a star that is made up of a bright mass of gases that give off a radiant amount of energy. In addition to the Sun there are other members of the solar system. There are the eight planets, 168 known satellites, asteroids, comets, meteors, and gaseous particles. These gaseous particles reflect light known as zodiacal light. The Sun which is located in the central position in our solar system is the parent of all the other members of the Solar System.

Planets are generally divided into two main types: terrestrial planets and Jovian planets. Terrestrial planets are large, low-density gas giant planets that are small and rocky. Jovian planets are larger that the terrestrial planets and they are composed of gaseous material and are much more massive than terrestrials. Most of the Jovian planets are larger than the terrestrial planets and have a thick atmosphere that is mostly made up of helium and hydrogen. All the planets, both Jovian and Terrestrial, were formed in the same period. Some people believe they were formed sometime about 4.6 billion years ago.

Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called as the inner planets and they lie between the Sun and the asteroids. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune are called the outer planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are known as the Terrestrial planets because they are made up of rocks and metals. The word Terrestrial mean Earth like; things that are related to Earth. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune are known as Jovian planets because they are made up of gases. The word Jovian means Jupiter like.

All of these planets revolve round the sun in the same counter clockwise direction. Their orbits are almost elliptical. They rotate on their own axis in anticlockwise direction. Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune from west to east and Venus and Uranus rotate on their axis from east to west. All the...