1. Chapter 2 Lesson 2 The Solar System
Ms. Amanda

2. The Solar System
The Solar System is made up of the Sun and everything that orbits it.
At first, the solar system was shaped as a ball, but as it began to rotate, the gravity caused it to flatten.
Planet – orbits the Sun, a very big spherical shape that has no other object in its orbital path.
The closer a planet is to the Sun, the faster it rotates.

3. Objects in the Solar System
The Solar System contains many different objects.

4. Objects in the Solar System
Dwarf planets – orbit the Sun, spherical in shape, but they share orbital paths with other objects.
Not all spherical objects in the Solar System are planets.
Moon – a natural satellite that orbits an object other than a star.

5. Other Solar System Bodies
Asteroids – small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun.
Usually found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Comets – small, rocky, icy objects that orbit the Sun.
As the comet gets closer to the Sun, the ice melts and the water starts to look like a ‘tail’ behind the comet.
Orbital paths usually extend to the outer solar system.

6. Other Solar System Bodies
Meteoroids – small, rocky particles that move through space.
When a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere, it produces a streak of light called a meteor.

7. Inner Planets
Inner planets – the 4 smallest planets, made mostly of iron, formed from rocks and heavy elements.
The inner planets have no moons, no rings, and they rotate more slowly.
The inner planets include: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

8. Outer Planets
The four outermost planets formed far from the Sun. They have more gases and other materials.
They rotate more quickly, they have rings, and many moons.
The Outer Planets include: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

9. Questions