NAME: SHEKINAH RUGAZIA
TOPIC: SOLAR SYSTEM
GRADE:01
THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Solar system: is the collection of eight planets and their moons, in orbit round the sun,
together with smaller bodies in the form of asteroids, meteoroids and comets.
The planets of the solar system are, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and
Neptune.
The Solar System
COMPONENTS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
A) The Sun
Is the largest star in the solar system and consists of 99.8% of all the mass of the solar
system and it is located in the centre.
The sun rotates around its own axis, just like Earth. The sun rotates counterclockwise, and
takes between 25 and 35 days to complete a single rotation.
The Sun
Importance of the Sun: The sun has extremely important influences on our planet: It drives
weather, ocean currents, seasons, and climate, and makes plant life possible through
photosynthesis. Without the sun’s heat and light, life on Earth would not exist.
B) Planets
The solar system consists of eight planets namely Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Each planet having it’s unique characters.
The Nine Planets of the solar system
Mercury: is closest to the sun and also the smallest planet. It has no natural satellites.
Distance from the sun: 58 million KM
Orbital period: 88 days
Radius: 2,439.7 KM
Venus: is the hottest planet and is drier compared to Earth. It has no natural satellites
Distance from the Sun: 108.2 million KM
Orbital period: 225 days
Radius: 6,051.8 KM
Earth: is the only planet where life exists. It has a unique hydrosphere and 21% free oxygen
to sustain life. Moon is it’s one and only natural satellite.
Distance from the Sun: 150 million KM
Orbital period: 365 days
Radius: 6378 KM
Mars: it has an atmospheric of mainly carbondioxide. It is red in color due to it’s soil.
Deimos and Phobos are it’s two natural satellite.
Distance from the Sun: 227.9 million KM
Orbital period: 687 days
Radius: 3,389.5 KM
Jupiter: it has a mass that is 2.5 times the mass of all other planets. It is made up of
Hydrogen and Helium and has 79 satellites.
Distance from the Sun: 778.5 million KM
Orbital period: 12 years
Radius: 69911 KM
Saturn: has an extensive ring system made up of rocks. It is less dense than water and has
82 satellites.
Distance from the Sun: 1.434 Billion KM
Radius: 58,232 KM
Time of revolution: 29 years
Uranus: is the lightest planet among the giant planets. It has 27 satellites.
Distance from the sun: 2.871 Billion KM
Time of revolution: 84 years
Radius: 25,362 KM
Time to complete a single rotation: 17 hours and 14 minutes
Fun fact: planet of Uranus smells like rotten eggs
Neptune: is the eighth planet from the sun and the farthest known planet in the Solar system.
It is the fourth largest planet in the solar system by diameter, the third most massive planet,
and the densest giant planet. It is 17 times the mass of Earth, and slightly more massive than
it’s near twin Uranus.
Importance of the solar system.
1. ) it has the solar enerrgy component which is the Sun that serves as one of the sources of
energy on Earth.
2. Solar energy can be used directly for heating, lighting homes and businesses, for
generating electricity, hot water heating, solar cooling, and a variety of other commercial and
industrial uses. Most critical, given the growing concern over climate change, is the fact that
solar electricity generation represents a clean alternative to electricity from fossil fuels. This
method is good with no air and water pollution, global warming, no risks of electricity price
spikes, and threats to our public health.
3. Lastly solar energy supports photosynthesis to take place.
