Solar System

The solar system is a fascinating planetary system found in the Milky Way, our galaxy. It is composed of the Sun, a G-type star that radiates light and heat, and all the celestial bodies orbiting around it, including planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets and other smaller objects.

The Sun, located at the center of the solar system, accounts for more than 99% of the total mass of the system. It is a hot plasma sphere composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, which generates energy through nuclear fusion in its core. This energy is radiated into space in the form of light and heat, and is essential for sustaining life on Earth.

There are eight recognized planets in the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. These planets vary in size, composition, and characteristics. The four inner planets, known as terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars), are rocky and relatively small. The four outer planets, known as giant gas planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), are much larger and are composed primarily of gases and liquids.

In addition to the planets, the solar system is home to numerous smaller objects. Dwarf planets, such as Pluto and Eris, are smaller, planet-like bodies. Asteroids are irregular rocks that orbit the Sun, mainly in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are icy bodies that follow elliptical orbits around the Sun and, as they approach, may develop a bright coma and tail due to solar heating.

Beyond Neptune’s orbit extends the region called the Kuiper belt, which is home to a large number of icy bodies, including Pluto. Even further out lies the Oort cloud, a spherical region of comets in very distant orbits.

The online solar system simulations on this page are a very useful tool to improve our knowledge of our corner of the universe, so be sure to try them out!