The Cliff Notes Version See Chapter 21 The Solar System The Cliff Notes Version See Chapter 21

Contents: 1 star (the Sun) 8 planets Moons Dwarf Planets Asteroids Meteoroids Comets Trash we put into space

Measuring in the S.S. Everything is compared to Earth Example: distance is measured in astronomical units (AU) or the average distance b/t Earth and the Sun (150,000,000 km) Earth = 1 AU while Pluto = 40 AU

General Info Most objects rotate & revolve counterclockwise or prograde A few rotate clockwise or retrograde Nothing is perfectly spherical Farther you are from the Sun the slower you revolve.

Organization of the S.S. Divided into inner and outer planets The asteroid belt separates them Comets are way out beyond Pluto

The order: Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

A mnemonic to help remember the order M-y V-egetarian E-mu M-akes J-ust S-pectacular U-nicorn N-uggets