The name of the second planet from the sun. The planets of the solar system in order and in size: which are the largest and which are the smallest.

  \u003e Planets of the Solar System

In the recent past, the concept of "planet" was applied only to nine space objects orbiting the sun. Today we know that the planets  also available for beyond  our solar system  and rotate around other stars. In 2006, the IAU (International Astronomical Union) clearly determined that planets of the solar system -  cosmic bodies orbiting the star - the Sun having a spherical shape.

These are mysterious worlds in which there is a chance of the birth of life. Everything that surrounds us at the moment is part of a planet called Earth. It is very difficult to imagine that something else may exist outside of our cosmic abode. Despite the fact that the Earth seems to us extremely huge, it is, in fact, very small by the standards of the solar system. In addition to the Earth, eight more planets revolve in their orbits around the Sun, of which the Earth is one of the smallest in size. range from small rocky objects to huge gas monsters, thousands of times larger than the size of the Earth. We have been exploring the planets for a long time and have quite a lot of information, but much still remains a mystery.

Types of Solar System Planets

Earth Group Planets   have high density and consist mainly of stone and metal. They, as a rule, are small and rotate around their axis at a low speed. In our solar system, the terrestrial planets include:

• Mercury - the first planet from the sun;
• Venus - The second planet from the Sun;
• Earth is the Third Planet from the Sun;
• Mars - The fourth planet from the sun.

The terrestrial planets have a small number of satellites, i.e. moons From the above list, only two planets have satellites - Earth and Mars.

Gas giants   in our solar planet  represented by the four outermost space objects from the Sun:

• Jupiter - The Fifth Planet from the Sun;
• Saturn - Sixth Planet from the Sun;
• Uranus - The Seventh Planet from the Sun;
• Neptune - Eighth Planet from the Sun;

Planets of this type are huge and consist of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter, for example, is a thousand times more land. The density of gas giants is relatively low, and the rotational speed is extremely high. All four planets have many satellites, as well as rings of asteroids around them. This feature is explained by the fact that gas giants have a powerful gravitational field capable of attracting more space objects than the weak gravitational fields of the terrestrial planets. Scientists believe that the asteroid rings are remnants of the moons, which were crushed by the gravitational forces of these planets.

Dwarf planet   - the name of the space object, whose size is too small for the planet and too large for the asteroid. There are thousands of such objects in the solar system, most of which are located in the area of ​​the Kuiper belt. Some astronomers believe that Pluto and its moon Charon are actually part of the Kuiper belt, not planets. Scientists have scant information about dwarf planets. According to the reigning opinion, dwarf planets were formed from the same material as ours. solar system. The satellites of the gas giants are dwarf planets that left their orbit and headed deep into the solar system.

Planet	Diameter relative to Earth	Mass, relative to the Earth	Orbital radius, a. e.	Period of circulation, earth years	Day,   relative to the earth	Density, kg / m³	Satellites
Mercury	0,382	0,06	0,38	0,241	58,6	5427	not
Venus	0,949	0,82	0,72	0,615	243	5243	not
Land	1,0	1,0	1,0	1,0	1,0	5515	1
Mars	0,53	0,11	1,52	1,88	1,03	3933	2
Ceres	0,074	0,000013	2,76	4,6	0,46	~2000	not
Jupiter	11,2	318	5,20	11,86	0,414	1326	67
Saturn	9,41	95	9,54	29,46	0,426	687	62
Uranus	3,98	14,6	19,22	84,01	0,718	1270	27
Neptune	3,81	17,2	30,06	164,79	0,671	1638	14
Pluto	0,098	0,0017	39,2	248,09	6,3	2203	5
Haumea	0,032	0,00066	42,1	281,1	0,03	~1900	2
Makemake	0,033	0,00065	45,2	306,28	1,9	~1700	not
Eris	0,1	0,0019	68,03	561,34	1,1	~2400	1

The formation of the planets of the solar system

Some aspects of the formation of solar systems are still a mystery. The dominant position in the scientific world is

The planets of the solar system - a little history

Previously, the planet was considered any body that orbits around a star, glows reflected light from it and has a size larger than that of asteroids.

Even in ancient Greece, seven luminous bodies were mentioned that move across the sky against the background of fixed stars. These cosmic bodies were: the Sun, Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Earth was not included in this list, since the ancient Greeks believed that the Earth was the center of all things.

And only in the XVI century, Nicolaus Copernicus in his scientific work entitled “On the conversion of the heavenly spheres” came to the conclusion that it was not the Earth, but the Sun that should be in the center of the system of planets. Therefore, the Sun and Moon were removed from the list, and the Earth was brought into it. And after the appearance of telescopes, Uranus and Neptune were added, in 1781 and 1846, respectively.
  The last open planet of the solar system from 1930 until recently was considered Pluto.

And now, almost 400 years after the creation of Galileo Galilei, the first telescope in the world to observe the stars, astronomers came to the following definition of a planet.

Planet- it is a celestial body, which must satisfy four conditions:
   the body must orbit around a star (for example, around the sun);
   the body must have sufficient gravity to be spherical or close to it;
   the body must not have other large bodies near its orbit;
   the body should not be a star.

In turn, the polar star is a cosmic body that emits light and is a powerful source of energy. This is explained, firstly, by thermonuclear reactions occurring in it, and secondly, by the processes of gravitational compression, as a result of which a huge amount of energy is released.

The planets of the solar system today

solar system- it is a planetary system that consists of a central star - the Sun - and all natural space objects orbiting around it.

So, today the solar system consists from eight planets: four internal, so-called terrestrial planets, and four external planets, called gas giants.
  The terrestrial planets include Earth, Mercury, Venus and Mars. All of them consist mainly of silicates and metals.

The outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The composition of the gas giants are mainly hydrogen and helium.

The dimensions of the planets of the solar system vary both within groups and between groups. So, the gas giants are much larger and more massive than the terrestrial planets.
  Mercury is closest to the Sun, then as it moves away: Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

It would be wrong to consider the characteristics of the planets of the solar system, without paying attention to its main component: the Sun itself. Therefore, we will begin with it.

The sun the planet is the star that gave rise to all life in the solar system. Planets, dwarf planets and their satellites, asteroids, comets, meteorites and cosmic dust circulate around it.

The sun originated about 5 billion years ago, is a spherical, heated plasma ball and has a mass that is more than 300 thousand times the mass of the Earth. The surface temperature is more than 5000 degrees Kelvin, and the core temperature is more than 13 million K.

The sun is one of the largest and brightest stars in our galaxy, which is called the Milky Way galaxy. The sun is at a distance of about 26 thousand light years from the center of the Galaxy and makes a complete rotation around it in about 230-250 million years! For comparison, the Earth makes a complete revolution around the Sun for 1 year.

Mercury planet

Mercury is the smallest planet in the system that is closest to the Sun. Mercury has no satellites.

The surface of the planet is covered with craters that arose about 3.5 billion years ago as a result of massive bombardment by meteorites. The diameter of the craters can range from a few meters to more than 1000 km.

The atmosphere of Mercury is strongly discharged, consists mainly of helium and is blown up by the solar wind. Since the planet is located very close to the Sun and does not have an atmosphere that would keep heat at night, the surface temperature ranges from -180 to +440 degrees Celsius.

According to earthly standards, Mercury makes a complete revolution around the Sun in 88 days. But the mercurial day equals 176 earthly.

Venus planet

Venus is the second closest to the Sun planet of the solar system. With its size, Venus is only slightly inferior to the Earth, which is why it is sometimes called the “sister of the Earth.” Has no satellites.

The atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide with impurities of nitrogen and oxygen. Air pressure on the planet is more than 90 atmospheres, which is 35 times greater than the earth.

Carbon dioxide and, as a result, the greenhouse effect, compacted atmosphere, and proximity to the Sun allow Venus to bear the title of the “hottest planet.” The temperature on its surface can reach 460 ° С.

Venus is one of the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and the Moon.

  The Earth is the only planet in the Universe known today that has life on it. Earth has the largest size, mass and density among the so-called inner planets of the solar system.

The age of the Earth is about 4.5 billion years, and life appeared on the planet about 3.5 billion years ago. The moon is a natural satellite, the largest satellite of the terrestrial planets.

The atmosphere of the Earth is fundamentally different from the atmospheres of other planets due to the presence of life. Most of the atmosphere consists of nitrogen, it also contains oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and water vapor. The ozone layer and the Earth’s magnetic field, in turn, weaken the life-threatening influence of solar and cosmic radiation.

Because of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there is also a greenhouse effect on Earth. It does not manifest itself as much as on Venus, but without it the air temperature would be approximately 40 ° C lower. Without atmosphere and temperature fluctuations would be very significant: according to scientists, from -100 ° C at night to + 160 ° C during the day.

About 71% of the Earth’s surface is occupied by the world's oceans, the remaining 29% are continents and islands.

Mars planet

Mars is the seventh largest planet in the solar system. "Red Planet", as it is also called due to the presence of a large amount of iron oxide in the soil. Mars has two moons: Deimos and Phobos.
  The atmosphere of Mars is strongly discharged, and the distance to the Sun is almost one and a half times larger than that of the Earth. Therefore, the average annual temperature on the planet is equal to -60 ° C, and temperature drops in some places reach 40 degrees during the day.

Distinctive features of the surface of Mars are the impact craters and volcanoes, valleys and deserts, ice polar caps like the terrestrial ones. Mars has the highest mountain in the solar system: the extinct volcano Olympus, whose height is 27 km! And also the largest canyon: the Mariner Valley, whose depth reaches 11 km, and the length - 4500 km

Jupiter planet

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It is 318 times heavier than Earth, and almost 2.5 times more massive than all the planets of our system combined. In its composition, Jupiter resembles the Sun - it consists mainly of helium and hydrogen - and emits a huge amount of heat, equal to 4 * 1017 watts. However, in order to become a star like the Sun, Jupiter must be 70-80 times heavier.

Jupiter has as many as 63 satellites, of which only the largest makes sense — Callisto, Ganymede, Io, and Europe. Ganymede is the largest satellite in the solar system, it surpasses even Mercury in size.

Due to certain processes in the inner atmosphere of Jupiter, in its outer atmosphere, a multitude of vortex structures arise, for example, stripes of clouds of brown-red hues, as well as the Great Red Spot — a giant storm known since the 17th century.

Saturn planet

Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system. Saturn’s business card is, of course, his system of rings, which consists mainly of ice particles of various sizes (from tenths of a millimeter to several meters), as well as rocks and dust.

Saturn has 62 satellites, the largest of which are Titan and Enceladus.
  In its composition, Saturn resembles Jupiter, but in density it is inferior even to ordinary water.
  The outer atmosphere of the planet looks calm and homogeneous, due to a very dense layer of fog. However, the wind speed in some places can reach 1,800 km / h.

  Uranus planet

Uranus is the first planet discovered with a telescope, as well as the only planet in the solar system that wraps around the sun, "lying on its side."
  Uranus has 27 satellites, which are named after Shakespeare's heroes. The largest of them are Oberon, Titania and Umbriel.

The composition of the planet differs from the gas giants in the presence of a large number of high-temperature modifications of ice. Therefore, along with Neptune, scientists have identified Uranus in the category of "ice giants." And if Venus has the title of the “hottest planet” of the Solar System, then Uranus is the coldest planet with a minimum temperature of about -224 ° C.

Neptune Planet

  Neptune is the most distant planet from the center of the solar system. The history of its discovery is interesting: before observing the planet through a telescope, scientists calculated its position in the sky using mathematical calculations. It happened after the discovery of unexplained changes in the motion of Uranus in its own orbit.

To date, science known 13 satellites of Neptune. The largest of them - Triton - the only satellite that moves in the opposite direction to the rotation of the planet. Against the rotation of the planet, the fastest winds in the solar system also blow: their speed reaches 2,200 km / h.

The composition of Neptune is very similar to Uranus, therefore, is the second "ice giant." However, like Jupiter and Saturn, Neptune has an internal source of heat and emits 2.5 times more energy than it receives from the sun.
  Blue color of the planet gives traces of methane in the outer layers of the atmosphere.

Conclusion
  Pluto, unfortunately, did not have time to get into our parade of the planets of the solar system. But to worry about this is absolutely not worth it, because all the planets remain in place, despite changes in scientific views and concepts.

So, we answered the question of how many planets in the solar system. There are only 8 .

Space for children

There is one simple way to remember the planets of the Solar System for children. However, for adults too. It is very similar to how we remember the colors of the rainbow. All children love different counting points, thanks to which information is permanently stored in the memory.

D in order to memorize the planets of the Solar System, we suggest that you learn with your children a poem that you can compose yourself, or use the work of A. Haight:

One after another all the planets
   Call any of us:

   Once - Mercury
   Two - Venus,

   Three - Earth,
   Four - Mars.

   Five - Jupiter,
   Six - Saturn

   Seven - Uranus
   Behind him is Neptune.

Remember again how in your childhood you memorized the colors of the rainbow. With the names of the planets, you can apply the same principle. Build a phrase, each word of which will begin with the same letter as the planet of the Solar System in the order of its location from the Sun. For example:
   we
   Mercury

   See you
   Venus

   Tomorrow
   Land

   My
   Mars

   Young
   Jupiter

   Companion
   Saturn

   Gonna fly Now
   Uranus

Not for long

Neptune

This is just an example, in fact, you can think of anything, as long as the child was close in spirit, and he easily remembered the whole sentence. Now that we have figured out exactly how to present any information to children, we can proceed to the immediate knowledge with which you will train your young astronomers.

Finally, an interesting and simple story for children about what the solar system is.

   The solar system is all cosmic bodies that revolve around the sun according to their clearly defined trajectories. These include 8 planets and their satellites (their composition is constantly changing, as some objects open, others lose their status), many comets, asteroids and meteorites.
The history of the planets
   There is no definite opinion on this, there are only theories and conjectures. According to the most widespread opinion, about 5 billion years ago, one of the clouds of the Galaxy began to shrink to the center and formed our Sun. The formed body had a huge force of gravity, and all the particles of gas and dust around it began to coalesce and stick together (this is the current planets).

The sun is not a planet, but a star. The source of energy, life on Earth.

The sun as a star and the center of the solar system
Planets in their orbits revolve around a huge star called the Sun. The planets themselves do not emit any heat, and if there were no light from the Sun, which they reflect, then life on Earth would never have originated. There is a certain classification of stars, according to which the Sun is a yellow dwarf, about 5 billion years old.
Satellites of the planets
   The solar system does not consist only of some planets, it also includes natural satellites, among which the moon is well known to us. In addition to Venus and Mercury, each planet has a certain number of satellites, today there are more than 63 of them. New celestial bodies are constantly being discovered thanks to photographs made by automatic spacecraft. They are able to detect even the smallest satellite with a diameter of only 10 km (Leda, Jupiter).
Characteristics of each planet in the solar system

Mercury orbit procession
1. Mercury.This planet is closest to the Sun, in the whole system it is considered the smallest. The surface of Mercury is solid, like all four inner planets (closest to the center). It has the highest rotational speed. During the day, the planet practically burns in the sun (+ 350˚), and freezes at night (-170˚).

2. Venus.This planet resembles Earth more than others in its size, composition and brightness. But the conditions are very different. The atmosphere of Venus consists of carbon dioxide. There are always a lot of clouds around it, which makes it difficult to observe. The entire surface of Venus is a hot, stony desert.

3. Earth- the only planet on which there is oxygen, water, therefore, and life. It has an ideal location in relation to the Sun: close enough to receive light and heat in the right quantity, and far enough so as not to burn from the rays. It has an ozone layer that protects all life from radiation. The planet is home to millions of species. including man.

Comparing the Earth with other planets in the solar system

The Earth has one satellite - the Moon.

4. Mars.Some scientists assumed that life also exists on this planet because it has a number of similarities with the Earth. But numerous studies have not found signs of life there. At present, two natural satellites of Mars are known: Phobos and Deimos.

5. Jupiter- the largest planet of the solar system, 10 times larger than the Earth in diameter and 300 times in mass. Jupiter consists of hydrogen, helium and other gases, has 16 satellites.

6. Saturn- the most interesting planet for children, as it has rings that are formed from dust, stones and ice. Three main rings rotate around Saturn, about 30 meters thick.

7. Uranus.This planet also has rings, but it is much more difficult to see them, they only appear at certain times. The main feature of Uranus is its manner of rotation, performed in the "lying on its side" mode.

8. Neptune.Astronomy today call this planet the last in the solar system. Neptune was discovered only in 1989, as it is located very far from the Sun. The surface of it from space looks blue, which can not fail to amaze us.
   Until 2006, there were 9 planets, including Pluto. But according to the latest scientific data, this space object is no longer called a planet. It’s a pity ... Although it became easier for children to remember.

tyts astronomy for schoolchildren

The solar system consists of eight planets and more than 63 of their satellites, which are opening more and more often, as well as several dozen comets and a large number of asteroids. All cosmic bodies move in their clear directional trajectories around the sun, which is 1000 times heavier than all the bodies in the solar system combined.

How many planets around the sun rotates

How did the planets of the solar system: approximately 5-6 billion years ago, one of the gas and dust clouds of our large galaxy (the Milky Way), having a disk shape, began to shrink to the center, gradually forming the present Sun. Further, according to one of the theories, under the action of powerful attractive forces, a large number of dust and gas particles revolving around the Sun began to stick together into balls - forming future planets. As another theory says, the gas-dust cloud immediately disintegrated into separate clusters of particles, which, compressed and compacted, forming the current planets. Now 8 planets revolve around the Sun constantly. The center of the solar system is the Sun, a star around which planets orbit. They do not emit heat and do not shine, but only reflect the light of the sun. In the solar system, 8 planets are now officially recognized. Briefly, in order of distance from the sun, we list them all. And now a few definitions. The satellites of the planets. The solar system also includes the Moon and the natural satellites of other planets that all of them have, except Mercury and Venus. Over 60 satellites are known. Most of the satellites of the outer planets discovered when they received photographs taken by automatic spacecraft. The smallest satellite of Jupiter - Leda - just 10 km across.

  The sun is a star, without which life could not exist on Earth. It gives us energy and warmth. According to the classification of stars, the Sun is a yellow dwarf. Age of about 5 billion years. It has a diameter at the equator of 1,392,000 km, 109 times the size of the earth. The rotation period at the equator is 25.4 days and 34 days at the poles. The mass of the Sun 2x10 in 27 degree tons, about 332950 times the mass of the Earth. The temperature inside the core is about 15 million degrees Celsius. The surface temperature is about 5500 degrees Celsius. By chemical composition  The sun consists of 75% of hydrogen, and of the other 25% of the elements most of all helium. Now, in order, let us examine how many planets around the sun rotate, in the solar system and the characteristics of the planets.

The planets of the solar system in order from the sun   in pictures

Mercury - 1 in order planet of the solar system

  Mercury. The four inner planets (closest to the Sun) - Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars - have a hard surface. They are less than four giant planets. Mercury moves faster than other planets, burning in the sun by day and freezing at night.

Characteristic of the planet Mercury:

Period of revolution around the Sun: 87.97 days. Diameter at the equator: 4878 km. Period of rotation (rotation around the axis): 58 days. Surface temperature: 350 during the day and -170 at night. Atmosphere: very rarefied, helium. How many satellites: 0. Major satellites of the planet: 0.

Venus - 2 in order planet of the solar system

  Venus is more like Earth in size and brightness. Observation of it is difficult because of the clouds enveloping it. The surface is hot stony desert.

Characteristic of the planet Venus:

  Period of revolution around the Sun: 224.7 days. Diameter at the equator: 12104 km. Period of rotation (rotation around the axis): 243 days. Surface temperature: 480 degrees (average). Atmosphere: dense, mostly carbon dioxide. How many satellites: 0. Major satellites of the planet: 0.

Earth - 3 in order planet of the solar system

  Apparently, the Earth was formed from a gas and dust cloud, like other planets in the solar system. Particles of gas and dust colliding, gradually "raised" the planet. The surface temperature reached 5,000 degrees Celsius. Then the Earth cooled and covered with hard stone bark. But the temperature in the depths to this day is quite high - 4500 degrees. Rocks in the depths of the melted and during volcanic eruptions are poured to the surface. Only on earth there is water. Therefore, there is life. It is located relatively close to the Sun to receive the necessary heat and light, but far enough so as not to burn.

Characteristics of the planet Earth:

  The period of revolution around the Sun: 365.3 days. Diameter at the equator: 12756 km. The period of rotation of the planet (rotation around the axis): 23 hours 56 minutes. Surface temperature: 22 degrees (average). Atmosphere: mainly nitrogen and oxygen. Number of satellites: 1. The main satellites of the planet: the Moon.

Mars - 4 in order planet of the solar system

  Because of the similarity with the Earth, it was believed that life exists here. But the spacecraft that landed on the surface of Mars did not detect any signs of life. This is the fourth order of the planet.

Characteristic of the planet Mars:

  Period of revolution around the Sun: 687 days. The diameter of the planet at the equator: 6794 km. Rotation period (rotation around the axis): 24 hours 37 minutes. Surface temperature: -23 degrees (average). Atmosphere of the planet: rarefied, mainly carbon dioxide. How many satellites: 2. Main satellites in order: Phobos, Deimos.

Jupiter - 5 in order planet of the solar system

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are composed of hydrogen and other gases. Jupiter exceeds Earth more than 10 times in diameter, 300 times in weight and 1300 times in volume. It is more than twice as massive as all the planets of the solar system combined. How many planets does Jupiter need to become a star? It is necessary to increase its mass 75 times!

Characteristics of the planet Jupiter:

  The period of revolution around the Sun: 11 years 314 days. The diameter of the planet at the equator: 143884 km. Rotation period (rotation around the axis): 9 hours 55 minutes. The surface temperature of the planet: -150 degrees (average). Atmosphere: mostly hydrogen and helium. Number of satellites: 16 (+ rings). The main satellites of the planets in order: Io, Europe, Ganymede, Callisto.

Saturn - 6 in order planet of the solar system

  This is number 2, the largest of the planets of the solar system. Saturn attracts the eye thanks to a system of rings formed from ice, stones and dust that circulate around the planet. There are three main rings with an external diameter of 270000 km, but their thickness is about 30 meters.

Characteristic of the planet Saturn:

  Period of revolution around the Sun: 29 years 168 days. The diameter of the planet at the equator: 120536 km. Rotation period (rotation around the axis): 10 hours 14 minutes. Surface temperature: -180 degrees (average). Atmosphere: mostly hydrogen and helium. Number of satellites: 18 (+ rings). Main satellites: Titan.

Uranus - 7 in order planet of the solar system

  The unique planet of the solar system. Its peculiarity is that it revolves around the Sun not like everything else, but "lying on its side". Uranus also has rings, although they are harder to see. In 1986, Voyazher -2 flew at a distance of 64,000 km, he had six hours of photography, which he successfully implemented.

Characteristic of the planet Uranus:

  Circulation period: 84 years 4 days. Diameter at the equator: 51118 km. The period of rotation of the planet (rotation around the axis): 17 hours 14 minutes. Surface temperature: -214 degrees (average). Atmosphere: mostly hydrogen and helium. How many satellites: 15 (+ rings). Main companions: Titania, Oberon.

Neptune - 8 in order planet of the solar system

  At the moment, Neptune is considered the last planet of the solar system. Its discovery took place in a way of mathematical calculations, and then it was already seen through a telescope. In 1989, "Voyazher-2" flew past. He made striking photographs of the blue surface of Neptune and his largest satellite, Triton.

Characteristic of the planet Neptune:

Period of revolution around the Sun: 164 years 292 days. Diameter at the equator: 50538 km. Rotation period (rotation around the axis): 16 hours 7 minutes. Surface temperature: -220 degrees (average). Atmosphere: mostly hydrogen and helium. Number of satellites: 8. Main satellites: Triton.

How many planets in the solar system: 8 or 9?

  Earlier, for many years, astronomers recognized the presence of 9 planets, that is, Pluto was also considered a planet, like the rest of the already known ones. But in the 21st century, scientists were able to prove that it is not a planet at all, which means that there are 8 planets in the solar system. Now, if you are asked how many planets in the solar system, answer boldly - 8 planets in our system. It has been officially recognized since 2006. When building the planets of the Solar System in order from the sun, use the finished picture. Do you think it may not be worth Pluto to remove from the list of planets and this is scientific prejudice?

How many planets in the solar system: video, watch for free

The solar system is a group of planets rotating in certain orbits around a bright star - the Sun. This luminary is the main source of heat and light in the solar system.

It is believed that our system of planets was formed as a result of the explosion of one or several stars, and this happened about 4.5 billion years ago. Initially, the solar system was a collection of gas and dust particles, however, over time and under the influence of its own mass, the Sun and other planets arose.

Planets of the Solar System

In the center of the solar system is the Sun, around which eight planets move in their orbits: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

Until 2006, Pluto belongs to this group of planets, it was considered the 9th planet from the Sun, however, due to its considerable distance from the Sun and its small size, it was excluded from this list and called the dwarf planet. Rather, it is one of several dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt.

All the above planets can be divided into two large groups: the terrestrial group and the gas giants.

The terrestrial group includes such planets as: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. They are distinguished by their small size and stony surface, and in addition, they are located closer than others to the Sun.

The gas giants include: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. They are characterized by large sizes and the presence of rings, which are ice dust and rocky pieces. These planets consist mainly of gas.

The sun

The sun is a star around which all the planets and satellites in the solar system rotate. It consists of hydrogen and helium. The age of the Sun is 4.5 billion years, it is only in the middle of its life cycle, gradually increasing in size. Now the diameter of the Sun is 1,391,400 km. After as many years, this star will expand and reach the orbit of the Earth.

The sun is a source of heat and light for our planet. Its activity increases or becomes weaker every 11 years.

Due to the extremely high temperatures on its surface, a detailed study of the Sun is extremely difficult, and attempts to launch a special vehicle as close as possible to the star continue.

Earth group of planets

Mercury

This planet is one of the smallest in the solar system, its diameter is 4,879 km. In addition, it is closest to the Sun. This proximity predetermined a significant temperature difference. The average temperature on Mercury in the daytime is +350 degrees Celsius, and at night - -170 degrees.

If you focus on the earth year, then Mercury makes a complete revolution around the Sun for 88 days, and one day there, 59 earth days last. It was noted that this planet periodically can change its speed of rotation around the Sun, its distance from it and its position.

There is no atmosphere on Mercury, in this connection, it is often attacked by asteroids and left behind on its surface a lot of craters. Sodium, helium, argon, hydrogen, oxygen were found on this planet.

A detailed study of Mercury is very difficult due to its close proximity to the Sun. Sometimes Mercury can be seen from Earth with the naked eye.

According to one theory, it is believed that Mercury was previously a satellite of Venus, however, it has not yet been possible to prove this assumption. Mercury has no satellite of its own.

Venus

This planet is the second from the Sun. In size it is close to the diameter of the Earth, the diameter is 12,104 km. For all other indicators, Venus is significantly different from our planet. The day here lasts 243 earth days, and the year is 255 days. The atmosphere of Venus is 95% carbon dioxide, which creates a greenhouse effect on its surface. This leads to the fact that the average temperature on the planet is 475 degrees Celsius. The atmosphere also includes 5% nitrogen and 0.1% oxygen.

Unlike the Earth, most of the surface of which is covered with water, there is no liquid on Venus, and almost the entire surface is occupied by frozen basaltic lava. According to one theory, earlier on this planet there were oceans, however, as a result of internal heating, they evaporated, and couples were carried away by the solar wind into outer space. Low winds blow near the surface of Venus, however, at an altitude of 50 km, their speed increases significantly and is 300 meters per second.

Venus has many craters and hills, resembling earthly continents. The formation of craters is attributed to the fact that earlier on the planet there was a less dense atmosphere.

A distinctive feature of Venus is that, unlike other planets, its movement does not occur from west to east, but from east to west. It can be seen from the Earth even without the aid of a telescope after sunset or before sunrise. This is due to the ability of its atmosphere to reflect light well.

Venus has no satellite.

Land

Our planet is at a distance of 150 million km from the Sun and this allows us to create on its surface a temperature suitable for the existence of water in a liquid form, and, therefore, for the emergence of life.

Its surface is 70% covered with water, and it is the only planet on which there is such a quantity of liquid. It is believed that many thousands of years ago, the vapor in the atmosphere created the temperature on the Earth’s surface necessary for the formation of water in liquid form, and solar radiation contributed to photosynthesis and the birth of life on the planet.

A feature of our planet is that under the crust there are huge tectonic plates that, moving, collide with each other and lead to a change in the landscape.

The diameter of the Earth is 12 742 km. Earth day lasts 23 hours 56 minutes 4 seconds, and a year - 365 days 6 hours 9 minutes 10 seconds. Its atmosphere is 77% composed of nitrogen, 21% oxygen and a small percentage of the remaining gases. None of the atmospheres of the other planets in the solar system has this amount of oxygen.

According to research scientists, the age of the Earth is 4.5 billion years old, about the same as its only moon exists. She is always turned to our planet with only one side. On the surface of the moon are many craters, mountains and plains. It reflects sunlight very faintly, so it can be seen from the Earth in a pale moonlight.

Mars

This planet is the fourth in a row from the Sun and removed from it at a distance of 1.5 times greater than the Earth. The diameter of Mars is less than that of Earth and is 6,779 km. The average temperature of air on the planet varies from -155 degrees to +20 degrees in the equatorial region. The magnetic field on Mars is much weaker than that of the Earth, and the atmosphere is quite discharged, which allows solar radiation to influence the surface unhindered. In this connection, if there is life on Mars, it is not on the surface.

During the survey with the help of rovers it was found that there are many mountains on Mars, as well as dried river beds and glaciers. The surface of the planet is covered with red sand. This color is given to Mars by iron oxide.

One of the most frequent events on the planet are dust storms, which are voluminous and destructive. Geological activity on Mars could not be found, however, it is reliably known that significant geological events took place on the planet earlier.

The atmosphere of Mars consists of 96% carbon dioxide, 2.7% nitrogen and 1.6% argon. Oxygen and water vapor are in minimal quantities.

Days on Mars are similar in duration to those on Earth and are 24 hours and 37 minutes and 23 seconds. A year on the planet lasts twice as long as the earth - 687 days.

The planet has two satellites Phobos and Deimos. They are small and irregular in shape, resembling asteroids.

Sometimes Mars is also seen from Earth with the naked eye.

Gas giants

Jupiter

This planet is the largest in the solar system and has a diameter of 139,822 km, which is 19 times larger than the Earth. The day on Jupiter lasts 10 hours, and the year is approximately 12 Earth years. Jupiter consists mainly of xenon, argon and krypton. If he were 60 times more, he could have become a star due to spontaneous thermonuclear reaction.

The average temperature on the planet is -150 degrees Celsius. The atmosphere consists of hydrogen and helium. Oxygen and water on its surface is not. There is an assumption that there is ice in the atmosphere of Jupiter.

Jupiter has a huge number of satellites - 67. The largest of them are Io, Ganymede, Callisto and Europe. Ganymede is one of the largest satellites in the solar system. Its diameter is 2634 km, which roughly corresponds to the size of Mercury. In addition, a thick layer of ice is visible on its surface, under which water can be found. Callisto is considered the most ancient of the satellites, since it is precisely its surface that has the greatest number of craters.

Saturn

This planet is the second largest in the solar system. Its diameter is 116,464 km. It is most similar in composition to the sun. A year on this planet lasts quite a long time, almost 30 Earth years, and a day - 10.5 hours. The average temperature on the surface is -180 degrees.

Its atmosphere consists mainly of hydrogen and a small amount of helium. In its upper layers often occur thunderstorms and auroras.

Saturn is unique in that it has 65 satellites and several rings. Rings are made up of small particles of ice and stony formations. Ice dust perfectly reflects light, so the rings of Saturn are very clearly visible in a telescope. However, it is not the only planet that has a tiara, it is just less visible on other planets.

Uranus

Uranus is the third largest planet in the solar system and the seventh from the Sun. It has a diameter of 50,724 km. It is also called the "ice planet", since the temperature on its surface is -224 degrees. The day on Uranus lasts 17 hours, and the year is 84 Earth years. At the same time, summer lasts as long as winter - 42 years. Such a natural phenomenon is due to the fact that the axis of that planet is at an angle of 90 degrees to the orbit and it turns out that Uranus "lies on its side".

Uranus has 27 satellites. The most famous of them are: Oberon, Titania, Ariel, Miranda, Umbriel.

Neptune

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun. In composition and size, it is similar to its neighbor Uranus. The diameter of this planet is 49,244 km. The day on Neptune lasts 16 hours, and the year is 164 Earth years. Neptune belongs to the ice giants and for a long time it was believed that no weather phenomena occurred on its icy surface. However, it has recently been established that on Neptune there are raging eddies and wind speed is the highest of the planets in the solar system. It reaches 700 km / h.

Neptune has 14 satellites, the most famous of which is Triton. It is known that he has his own atmosphere.

Neptune also has rings. This planet has 6 of them.

Interesting facts about the planets of the solar system

Compared with Jupiter, Mercury seems to be a point in the sky. These are actually proportions in the solar system:

Venus is often called the Morning and Evening Star, as it is the first of the stars visible in the sky with the beginning of the sunset and the last one disappears from view with the dawn.

An interesting fact about Mars is the fact that methane was found on it. Due to the rarefied atmosphere, it constantly evaporates, and this means that there is a constant source of this gas on the planet. Such a source could be living organisms inside the planet.

There is no change of seasons on Jupiter. The biggest mystery is the so-called “Big Red Spot”. Its origin on the surface of the planet is still not fully understood. Scientists suggest that it was formed by a huge hurricane, which has been rotating at a very high speed for several centuries.

An interesting fact is that Uranus, like many planets in the solar system, has its own system of rings. Due to the fact that the particles in their composition reflect light poorly, the rings could not be detected immediately after the discovery of the planet.

Neptune has a rich blue color, so it was named after the Roman god - the master of the seas. Because of its long-range location, this planet was discovered by one of the last. At the same time, its location was calculated mathematically, and over time it could be seen, and precisely in the calculated place.

Light from the Sun to the surface of our planet comes in 8 minutes.

The solar system, despite its long and careful study, still harbors many mysteries and mysteries that are yet to be revealed. One of the most fascinating hypotheses is the assumption of the presence of life on other planets, the search for which is actively continuing.