Our Solar System

Science

Our Solar System Chapter Video

Our Solar System Chapter Video

asteroid

a body of rock and metal that orbits the Sun

asteroid Simple Definition

comet

a body of ice, rock, and dust that orbits the Sun

comet Simple Definition

constellation

a pattern or shape formed by a group of stars

constellation Simple Definition

galaxy

a massive system of stars, gases, and dust held together by gravity

galaxy Simple Definition

gravity

the attractive force between all objects that have mass

gravity Simple Definition

light year

the distance light travels in a year: 9.5 trillion km

light year Simple Definition

meteor

a streak of light created when a meteoroid is heated by Earth’s atmosphere

meteor Simple Definition

moon

a natural body that revolves around a planet

moon Simple Definition

moon phase

changes in the shape of the moon as seen from Earth

moon phase Simple Definition

orbit

the path of one body around another, like Earth’s orbit around the Sun

orbit Simple Definition

planet

a large body that revolves around the Sun or star

planet Simple Definition

revolution

the motion of one body around another, like the Earth around the Sun

revolution Simple Definition

rotation

the turning of a planet on its axis

rotation Simple Definition

satellite

an object that moves around a larger object in space, like the moon around Earth

satellite Simple Definition

solar system

a group of planets and other objects that revolve around a sun

solar system Simple Definition

star

a huge ball of very hot gases, like the Sun

star Simple Definition

supernova

the bright explosion of a dying super giant star

supernova Simple Definition

tide

the daily rise and fall of the water level in the oceans

tide Simple Definition

universe

everything that exists, including the stars, planets, and energy

universe Simple Definition

Related Chapters