📚 The Solar System – Text Notes for Exam
1. The Universe
● The Universe is everything that exists – stars, planets, galaxies, gases, and dust.
● It is vast and expanding.
● Our solar system is part of the Milky Way Galaxy.
2. Constellations
● A constellation is a group of stars forming a pattern.
● Used for navigation in ancient times.
● Famous constellations:
○ Ursa Major – Big Dipper
○ Orion – The Hunter
○ Cassiopeia – W-shaped
3. What is the Solar System?
● The solar system is the family of the Sun.
● It includes:
○ The Sun (at the centre)
○ 8 Planets
○ Moons (Satellites)
○ Asteroids
○ Meteoroids
○ Comets
● All objects revolve around the Sun due to its gravity.
4. The Sun
● A huge ball of hot gases (hydrogen & helium).
● Main source of heat and light for life on Earth.
● Distance from Earth: 150 million km
● Light takes 8 minutes 20 seconds to reach Earth.
● It holds all planets in their orbits with its gravitational pull.
5. The Planets
● Planet means “wanderer” (from Greek word planetai).
● Planets do not produce their own light; they reflect sunlight.
● All planets rotate on their axis (rotation) and revolve around the Sun
(revolution).
● One full rotation = 1 day on the planet
One full revolution = 1 year on the planet
8 Planets in order from the Sun:
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Inner Planets (Rocky):
● Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
Outer Planets (Gas/Ice Giants):
● Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
6. Features of Each Planet
● Mercury: Smallest, closest to the Sun, no moons.
● Venus: Earth’s twin, spins in opposite direction, no moons, hottest planet.
● Earth: Only planet with life, water, and oxygen; 1 moon.
● Mars: Red planet, 2 moons, red due to iron minerals.
● Jupiter: Largest planet, has 80+ moons, has faint rings.
● Saturn: Known for its beautiful ring system, has 146 moons.
● Uranus: Rotates on its side, has 27 moons, ice giant.
● Neptune: Cold and windy, 14 moons, has rings with dust clusters.
7. Earth – A Unique Planet
● 3rd planet from the Sun.
● Shape: Oblate spheroid (flattened at poles, bulges at equator).
● Called Blue Planet – 2/3 covered with water.
● Water exists in 3 forms: solid, liquid, gas.
● Suitable for life because:
○ Right distance from the Sun (not too hot or cold)
○ Atmosphere with oxygen and other gases
○ Ozone layer protects from harmful UV rays
○ Water and mild weather support life
8. The Moon (Earth’s Satellite)
● Earth’s only natural satellite.
● Diameter: 1/4 of Earth
● Distance from Earth: 384,400 km
● Takes 27 days 8 hours to revolve around Earth and also rotate once.
● Same side of the Moon always faces Earth.
● The Moon reflects sunlight (has no light of its own).
9. Phases of the Moon
● As the Moon moves around Earth, it appears to change shape.
● This is called the phases of the Moon.
● Waxing phase: Moon appears to grow
● Waning phase: Moon appears to shrink
Important Phases:
● Crescent → First Quarter → Gibbous → Full Moon
● Then it shrinks: Gibbous → Last Quarter → Crescent → New Moon
10. Eclipses
🌑 Lunar Eclipse:
● Happens when Earth comes between the Sun and Moon.
● Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon.
☀️Solar Eclipse:
● Happens when Moon comes between the Sun and Earth.
● Moon’s shadow falls on the Earth.
11. Asteroids
● Small rocky objects found between Mars and Jupiter.
● Also called planetoids or minor planets.
● Believed to be remains from early solar system formation.
12. Meteoroids, Meteors, Meteorites
● Meteoroids: Small rocky pieces moving around the Sun.
● Meteors: Meteoroids that enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn (shooting stars).
● Meteorites: If they reach Earth’s surface, they’re called meteorites.
13. Comets
● Made of ice, dust, and rock.
● Glow and develop a long tail near the Sun.
● Orbit is long and elliptical.
● Famous comet: Halley’s Comet (seen every 76 years, last seen in 1986).
