What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? - Science Words - Science Concepts

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Logic

An instructional science vocabulary and concept guide explaining key objects in the solar system. It defines “solar system,” “planet,” “dwarf planets,” “comet,” and “asteroids,” using concise, kid-friendly descriptions and memory tips such as a planet “mind model.” It then reinforces core knowledge with ten statements about Earth’s place, eight planets, inner vs. outer planets, moons, and the roles of dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, and meteorites.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Science Words

solar system

planet

dwarf planets

comet

asteroids

Science Concepts

Key facts about the solar system

What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? Science Words Say each word quietly to yourself. Then read the meaning. Read the tip to help you remember. solar system [SOH•ler SIS•tuhm] a group of objects in space made up of a star and the planets and other space objects that revolve around it A system is a group of things that act together as a whole. Solar has to do with the sun, our star. You can put these ideas together: A solar system is a star and a group of objects that act together as a whole. planet [PLAN•it] a large, round body that revolves around a star You can make a “mind model” of a planet: Imagine you are holding a string with a ball on the end ofit. Use your arm to trace a large circle over your head. As you move your arm faster, the ball flies out and the string is pulled tight. In this model, the ball is a planet and your hand holding the string is a star. dwarf planets [DWAWRF PLAN•its] nearly round bodies whose orbits cross the orbits of other bodies Dwarf means small. Very little is known about dwarf planets because they are small, very faraway, and hard to study. Pluto is a dwarf planet. Notice that Pluto’s orbit crosses the orbits of the major planets. What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? comet [KAHM•it] a chunk of frozen gases, rock, ice, and dust If you can imagine a snowball made of ice, dirt and rock, you can imagine a comet. asteroids [AS•tuh•ROYDZ] rock and iron objects that orbit the sun Asteroids ends with the letter at the beginning of salt. Asteroids are like the salt and pepper of the solar system—they are sprinkled generously over a wide area. What Objects Are Part of the Solar System? Science Concepts Read the Ideas more than once. Do your best to remember them. 1. In our solar system, Earth, the other plants, and other objects revolve around the sun, our star. 2. Our solar system has eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 3. The inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars—are nearest to the sun, dense, and rocky. 4. The outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune—are made of gases and much colder than the inner planets. 5. Earth has only one moon that revolves around it; the outer planets have many moons. 6. Dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets also orbit the sun. 7. Dwarf planets are small bodies whose orbit crosses the orbit of other bodies, such as planets. 8. Asteroids, objects made of rock and iron, may be as small as a city block or as large as an ocean. 9. A comet is a chunk of frozen gas, dust, ice, and rock. 10. Meteoroids are pieces of asteroids that break off; meteorites are meteoroids that reach Earth.

FAQs

What does “solar system” mean?

A solar system is a group of objects in space made up of a star (our sun) and the planets and other space objects that revolve around it.

How are inner planets different from outer planets?

Inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars—are nearest to the sun, dense, and rocky. Outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune—are made of gases and are much colder.

What is the difference between meteoroids and meteorites?

Meteoroids are pieces of asteroids that break off. Meteorites are meteoroids that reach Earth.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Logic