Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India
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Our Solar System
in the Milky Way Galaxy
that is in the UNIVERSE
Our PLANET EARTH is in
EARTH (planet)
"The Blue Marble" 1972
SUN (star)
PLANETS in our Solar System
There are 8 planets in our Solar System that revolve around our SUN
The Blue Marble is an image of Earth taken on December 7, 1972, from a distance of about 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) from the planet's surface.
It was taken by the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft on its way to the Moon, and is one of the most reproduced images in history
Mercury
Mercury is the smallest planet, closest to the Sun. Mercury is the second hottest planet in our solar system. One year on Mercury is 88 days.
Venus
Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system and the second planet from the Sun. Venus is the brightest planet in our solar system. Venus is covered with lots of clouds so its color appears whitish.
EARTH
Earth is where you live! Earth is the beautiful blue-green third planet from the Sun. Earth has organic life and a complex delicate ecosystem that needs to be cared for and protected! Earth has liquid water, land masses, and an atmosphere hospitable to life! Earth has 1 moon.
Mars
Mars is red in color, and the fourth planet from the Sun. Mars has the highest mountain and largest volcano (Olympus Mons) in our Solar System. There are current robots and drones on Mars, and several international missions are planned to visit Mars in the very near future! Mars has 2 moons.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the biggest of the planets in our solar system and the fifth planet from the Sun. Jupiter has a giant red spot (larger than the Earth) that is a very large storm spinning counterclockwise. Jupiter is multicolored with orange, grey and white. Jupiter is a gas giant! Jupiter has 4 moons.
Saturn
Beautiful Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. Saturn is brown in color with outer rings that are extremely thin. Saturn's rings are made of ice chunks and dust. Saturn has 8 moons.
Uranus
Uranus is blue green in color, and the seventh planet from the Sun. Uranus is an icy planet and the coldest planet in our solar system. Uranus has 6 moons.
Neptune
Neptune is blue in color and the eighth planet from the Sun. With many storms in its atmosphere, Neptune is the furthest planet from the Sun. Neptune has 3 moons.
SUN
The Sun is a STAR (not a planet)! The planets in our solar system revolve in orbits around the Sun! The Sun is a spherical ball of gas, mostly hydrogen and some helium. The Sun radiates energy mainly in form of visible light and infrared radiation. It is the most important source of energy for life on Earth - plants, animals, humans.
Our solar system is in the Milky Way Galaxy - orbiting around its center at about 515,000 mph (828,000 kph). We are in one of the galaxy's four spiral arms.
Milky Way Galaxy - face on view
Milky Way Galaxy - edge on view
THE BIG PICTURE
Our Location in the Universe
Terms:
PLANET: A PLANET is a celestial body that orbits a star (our Sun is the star in our Solar System), has a nearly round shape, and its own gravity with a clear path around itself, free of other objects.
STAR: Luminous ball of gas, mostly hydrogen and helium, held together by its own gravity
PLUTO: dwarf Planet - doesn't meet all criteria to be a full planet
EXOPLANET: An exoplanet or extrasolar planet is a planet outside the Solar System
ARCHEOASTRONOMY: Multidisciplinary investigation of astronomy knowledge of prehistoric cultures. In current times we sometimes use satellite and other imagery to study the relationship of astronomy, archeology and architecture in varied cultures.
Pluto - Dwarf Planet
Planet: Earth
Star: Sun
Exoplanet
Think About:
How big is our planet, Earth?
How big is the Moon?
How big is the Sun?
Where are we in the Universe?
Do you think there is life on other planets?
Do you have a favorite planet?
Do you have a favorite star?
Can you draw a planet or a star?
An important part of Astronomy is scale ... micro to macro and back again ...
Pale Blue Dot
5 Planet alignment line on June 24, 2022 - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
Watch early morning about 30 min. before sunrise on June 24, 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere, look East to South East horizon.