Solar System Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on solar system.

Our solar system consists of eight planets that revolve around the Sun, which is central to our solar system . These planets have broadly been classified into two categories that are inner planets and outer planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are called inner planets. The inner planets are closer to the Sun and they are smaller in size as compared to the outer planets. These are also referred to as the Terrestrial planets. And the other four Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are termed as the outer planets. These four are massive in size and are often referred to as Giant planets.

solar system essay

The smallest planet in our solar system is Mercury, which is also closest to the Sun. The geological features of Mercury consist of lobed ridges and impact craters. Being closest to the Sun the Mercury’s temperature sores extremely high during the day time. Mercury can go as high as 450 degree Celsius but surprisingly the nights here are freezing cold. Mercury has a diameter of 4,878 km and Mercury does not have any natural satellite like Earth.

Venus is also said to be the hottest planet of our solar system. It has a toxic atmosphere that always traps heat. Venus is also the brightest planet and it is visible to the naked eye. Venus has a thick silicate layer around an iron core which is also similar to that of Earth. Astronomers have seen traces of internal geological activity on Venus planet. Venus has a diameter of 12,104 km and it is just like Mars. Venus also does not have any natural satellite like Earth.

Earth is the largest inner planet. It is covered two-third with water. Earth is the only planet in our solar system where life is possible. Earth’s atmosphere which is rich in nitrogen and oxygen makes it fit for the survival of various species of flora and fauna. However human activities are negatively impacting its atmosphere. Earth has a diameter of 12,760 km and Earth has one natural satellite that is the moon.

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Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and it is often referred to as the Red Planet. This planet has a reddish appeal because of the iron oxide present on this planet. Mars planet is a cold planet and it has geological features similar to that of Earth. This is the only reason why it has captured the interest of astronomers like no other planet. This planet has traces of frozen ice caps and it has been found on the planet. Mars has a diameter of 6,787 km and it has two natural satellites.

It is the largest planet in our solar system. Jupiter has a strong magnetic field . Jupiter largely consists of helium and hydrogen. It has a Great Red Spot and cloud bands. The giant storm is believed to have raged here for hundreds of years. Jupiter has a diameter of 139,822 km and it has as many as 79 natural satellites which are much more than of Earth and Mars.

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. It is also known for its ring system and these rings are made of tiny particles of ice and rock. Saturn’s atmosphere is quite like that of Jupiter because it is also largely composed of hydrogen and helium. Saturn has a diameter of 120,500 km and It has 62 natural satellites that are mainly composed of ice. As compare with Jupiter it has less satellite.

Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. It is the lightest of all the giant and outer planets. Presence of Methane in the atmosphere this Uranus planet has a blue tint. Uranus core is colder than the other giant planets and the planet orbits on its side. Uranus has a diameter of 51,120 km and it has 27 natural satellites.

Neptune is the last planet in our solar system. It is also the coldest of all the planets. Neptune is around the same size as the Uranus. And it is much more massive and dense. Neptune’s atmosphere is composed of helium, hydrogen, methane, and ammonia and it experiences extremely strong winds. It is the only planet in our solar system which is found by mathematical prediction. Neptune has a diameter of 49,530 km and it has 14 natural satellites which are more than of Earth and Mars.

Scientists and astronomers have been studying our solar system for centuries and then after they will findings are quite interesting. Various planets that form a part of our solar system have their own unique geological features and all are different from each other in several ways.

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Essay on Solar System

We see the sun every day shining in the sky and at night, we see the moon. Many other heavy bodies like satellites, meteoroids, and asteroids not visible to our naked eyes also make up the solar system. The sun and its planets together form the Solar System. The existence of the Solar System is about 4.6 billion years old.

100 Words Essay on The Solar System

200 words essay on the solar system, 500 words essay on the solar system.

Essay on Solar System

The solar system comprises all the planets that revolve around the sun. The solar system also contains moons, asteroids, comets, minor planets, and different types of gases and dust.

The planets are categorised into two categories: internal planets and outer planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupyter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are called inner planets . Earlier, there were nine planets considered till 2006, but now, Pluto does not lie in the list of planets, it does not meet the standard set for the planets.

It is now termed a dwarf planet. In our solar system, the earth is the only planet where life exists. There are many solar systems that exist in the universe, it is more than 500. Our solar system includes the Kuiper belt that lies past Neptune’s orbit.

The Sun is a star that is made up of massive hot gas that gives us heat and light . The Sun is the focal point of the solar system, every substance in the solar system revolves around the Sun. There are eight planets in the solar system, Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest planet in the solar system whereas Neptune is the farthest one and Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system.

Only Earth has a supportive environment for living creatures. The Earth rotates around its own axis and revolves around the Sun, similarly the moon orbits around the Earth. For complete rotation the earth takes one day and for completing one cycle around the sun it takes 365 days. It is what we call one year and due to gravity we all are stuck to the surface of the Earth.

A Comet is a large body in space made of rocks, ice, and frozen gas. The centre of a comet is called the nucleus. Asteroids are also large bodies in space made of rocks and minerals, they mostly orbit the sun between Mars and Jupiter in an area called the Asteroid Belt.

The solar system comprises eight planets, about 170 natural planetary satellites, and uncountable asteroids, meteorites, and comets. The solar system is situated within the Orion-Cygnus arm of the Milky way galaxy . Alpha Centauri made up of the stars Proxima Centauri, Alpha Centauri A, and Alpha Centauri B are the closest star systems to the solar system. The sun which is located at the centre of the solar system affects the motion of the body through its gravitational force. It contains more than 99% mass of the system.

Planets and Their Moons

Mercury | Mercury is the closest and smallest plate in the solar system, it orbits around the Sun and takes 87.97 earth days, it spins around slowly compared to Earth and it is slightly bigger than earth. It has a solid surface that is covered with craters and has a thin surface.

Venus | Venus is the second closest planet to the Sun. Venus is very similar to the earth in shape and densityVenus is the hottest planet in the solar system, it has a thick and toxic atmosphere covered with carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid in the form of yellowish clouds, and trapped heat.

Earth | Earth is the only planet that has a livable environment that sustains life and the ecosystem. It is the third closest and fifth largest planet in the solar system. On earth, life is possible for various reasons, but the most essential thing is the availability of water and the presence of oxygen. Earth is also known as the ‘Blue Planet’ because 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with seas, oceans, and large rivers of water

Mars | Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in the solar system. It appears as a red, orange, and radish ball because of the presence of iron oxide which is why Mars is also known as the ‘Red Planet’. Mars is positioned just next to the Earth. The evidence of water and oxygen raised hopes about the possibility of life on Mars.

Jupiter | Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and the first of the four gas giants. It is the fifth planet from the Sun. Jupiter also has a ring system like all the large gas planets, although these rings are not famous or as visible as Saturn’s ring.

Saturn | Saturn is the second largest and least dense planet in the solar system. Saturn can float in water because Saturn is made of gases, it's a gas giant with an average radius of about nine and a half times that of earth. Saturn has rings that are made of gas and dust.

Uranus | Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system, it revolves around the sun and takes 84 earth years to complete one rotation around the earth. Uranus is called an ‘Ice Giant’ planet because it is covered with ice and Hydrogen gas.

Neptune | Neptune is the eighth planet and farthest planet from the sun in the solar system, its atmosphere is made of hydrogen, helium, and methane gas. Neptune is a dark, cold, and very windy planet in the solar system.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

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Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Geotechnical engineer

The role of geotechnical engineer starts with reviewing the projects needed to define the required material properties. The work responsibilities are followed by a site investigation of rock, soil, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest. The investigation is aimed to improve the ground engineering design and determine their engineering properties that include how they will interact with, on or in a proposed construction. 

The role of geotechnical engineer in mining includes designing and determining the type of foundations, earthworks, and or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be made. Geotechnical engineering jobs are involved in earthen and concrete dam construction projects, working under a range of normal and extreme loading conditions. 

Cartographer

How fascinating it is to represent the whole world on just a piece of paper or a sphere. With the help of maps, we are able to represent the real world on a much smaller scale. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer are those who make maps. But, cartography is not just limited to maps, it is about a mixture of art , science , and technology. As a cartographer, not only you will create maps but use various geodetic surveys and remote sensing systems to measure, analyse, and create different maps for political, cultural or educational purposes.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Product Manager

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Operations manager.

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Bank Probationary Officer (PO)

Investment director.

An investment director is a person who helps corporations and individuals manage their finances. They can help them develop a strategy to achieve their goals, including paying off debts and investing in the future. In addition, he or she can help individuals make informed decisions.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

An expert in plumbing is aware of building regulations and safety standards and works to make sure these standards are upheld. Testing pipes for leakage using air pressure and other gauges, and also the ability to construct new pipe systems by cutting, fitting, measuring and threading pipes are some of the other more involved aspects of plumbing. Individuals in the plumber career path are self-employed or work for a small business employing less than ten people, though some might find working for larger entities or the government more desirable.

Construction Manager

Individuals who opt for a career as construction managers have a senior-level management role offered in construction firms. Responsibilities in the construction management career path are assigning tasks to workers, inspecting their work, and coordinating with other professionals including architects, subcontractors, and building services engineers.

Urban Planner

Urban Planning careers revolve around the idea of developing a plan to use the land optimally, without affecting the environment. Urban planning jobs are offered to those candidates who are skilled in making the right use of land to distribute the growing population, to create various communities. 

Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Naval Architect

A Naval Architect is a professional who designs, produces and repairs safe and sea-worthy surfaces or underwater structures. A Naval Architect stays involved in creating and designing ships, ferries, submarines and yachts with implementation of various principles such as gravity, ideal hull form, buoyancy and stability. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Veterinary Doctor

Pathologist.

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Speech Therapist

Gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

Hospital Administrator

The hospital Administrator is in charge of organising and supervising the daily operations of medical services and facilities. This organising includes managing of organisation’s staff and its members in service, budgets, service reports, departmental reporting and taking reminders of patient care and services.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Videographer

Multimedia specialist.

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Linguistic meaning is related to language or Linguistics which is the study of languages. A career as a linguistic meaning, a profession that is based on the scientific study of language, and it's a very broad field with many specialities. Famous linguists work in academia, researching and teaching different areas of language, such as phonetics (sounds), syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning). 

Other researchers focus on specialities like computational linguistics, which seeks to better match human and computer language capacities, or applied linguistics, which is concerned with improving language education. Still, others work as language experts for the government, advertising companies, dictionary publishers and various other private enterprises. Some might work from home as freelance linguists. Philologist, phonologist, and dialectician are some of Linguist synonym. Linguists can study French , German , Italian . 

Public Relation Executive

Travel journalist.

The career of a travel journalist is full of passion, excitement and responsibility. Journalism as a career could be challenging at times, but if you're someone who has been genuinely enthusiastic about all this, then it is the best decision for you. Travel journalism jobs are all about insightful, artfully written, informative narratives designed to cover the travel industry. Travel Journalist is someone who explores, gathers and presents information as a news article.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

Merchandiser.

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Metallurgical Engineer

A metallurgical engineer is a professional who studies and produces materials that bring power to our world. He or she extracts metals from ores and rocks and transforms them into alloys, high-purity metals and other materials used in developing infrastructure, transportation and healthcare equipment. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

ITSM Manager

Information security manager.

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

Business Intelligence Developer

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Essay on Solar System

Essay on Solar System: Our solar system consists of one Sun and eight (formerly nine) planets. These eight planets are gravitationally bound by the Sun on their orbits. Apart from these eight planets, there are more than 210 known planetary satellites, asteroids, comets, and other icy bodies that are assembled in the Solar system. 

The first four planets are called terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) the two gas planets (Jupiter and Saturn), and the other remaining ones are ice giants (Neptune and Uranus.)

This Blog Includes:

Inner planets (terrestrial planets):, outer planets (gas giants).

Learn about the smallest planet in our solar system

The Sun is the primary source of light and energy and is about 93 million miles from the Earth. It is the only star in our solar system and one of the more than 100 billion stars in the Milky Way. The surface of the Sun is about 5,500 degrees Celsius (10,000 degrees Fahrenheit) hot and the temperature reaches 15 million Celsius (27 million Fahrenheit). 

In terms of age and size, the Sun is 4.5 billion years old, composed of hydrogen and helium with a diameter of about 865,000 miles which is approximately 1.4 million kilometres. 

The planets that are made of rocks and metals are known as Inner Planets or Terrestrial Planets. These planets are comparatively small in size compared to the other outer planets. The description of these four planets is as follows:

1. Mercury—The Swift Planet

Mercury is the swiftest planet in our solar system which completes an orbit around the Sun in just 88 Earth days. Its proximity to the Sun contributes to extreme temperature variations, from scorching highs to freezing lows. 

With minimal atmosphere, Mercury lacks the protective blanket found on the Earth, exposing its surface to harsh solar radiation. 

2. Venus—The Evening Star or Morning Star

Venus, which is often referred to as the evening star or morning star, depends on its position relative to the Sun. When Venus is trailing the Sun, it is the evening star, visible after the sunset. Conversely, when ahead of the Sun, it is the morning star, appearing before sunrise. 

This dual identity arises from Venus´s orbit, positioning it closer to the Sun than Earth and causing varied visibility during different parts of the orbital journey. 

3. Earth—Blue Planet

The home planet to all living things is Earth. It is the only planet that is known for the existence of life. 

The surface of the Earth is made up of the crust, the core, and the mantle. It is a giant rocky planet with a circumference of about 40,075 kilometers; 71 percent or ¾ th of the Earth is covered with oceans and seas. A large area covered with water makes this planet a Blue Planet. 

4. Mars—Red Planet

The fourth planet of the solar system, Mars, is the most explored planet by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA.) The reason behind so many missions or research for Mars is to hope for the existence of extraterrestrial life on the planet. 

Apart from the possibility of life on Mars, the planet is also known for its presence of iron oxide that turns the planet reddish in appearance. 

Want to know more about our Planet Earth? Read Essay on Earth for more information.

5. Jupiter—King of Planets

Jupiter is the first planet of our solar system in the category of outer planets, also known as gas giants. According to NASA, the U.S. government agency, the planet’s size is more than twice that of all other planets combined. 

Except for Jupiter’s size, the solar system’s first outer planet is made up of leftover gases from the formation of the Sun. 

6. Saturn—Ringed Planet

The sixth planet from the Sun is Saturn. It is also known as the ringed planet and the second-largest solar system planet. 

The three distinctive features that make Saturn different from other planets are its huge 145 moons, visibility from the Earth with the naked eye, and the seven main rings named D, C, B, A, F, G, and E from the outward side of the planet. 

7. Uranus—Ice Giant

The seventh planet from the Sun, Uranus, is one of the two ice giants in the list of the outer solar system. The planet is featured with the third largest diameter which makes the planet the third largest in the solar system. 

Other than massive size, Uranus is made up of three dense icy materials, methane, ammonia, and water – above all a small rocky core. 

8. Neptune—Blue Giant

The third largest and eighth planet of the solar system is Neptune. According to NASA, the farthest planet from the Sun is more than 17 times Earth’s size and nearly 58 times the dimensions of Earth’s volume. 

The cool blue planet, due to the absorption of infrared light by the planet’s Methane atmosphere, comprises a core with the capacity to pick up a lot of gas, making Neptune impossible for the existence of life. 

Also Read: Essay on Space Exploration

Our Solar system is incomplete without the Moon, a planetary large natural object that travels around the Earth. However, the Moon does not make its light but it reflects the light of the sunlight. 

The total number of moons in our Solar system is 290, out of which one Moon belongs to Earth, two to Mars, 27 to Uranus, 95 to Jupiter, 146 to Saturn, 5 to dwarf planet Pluto, and 14 to Neptune.

The solar system consists of the Sun, terrestrial planets, gas giants, Earth’s Moon, celestial bodies , and various other objects. The unique formation and dynamics continue to amaze scientists offering a glimpse into the vastness and beauty of our cosmic neighbourhood. 

Ans: The Nebular Theory, which states that the solar system is made up of interstellar clouds of dust and gas, is the best theory for the solar system.

Ans: Arybhatta, the mathematician and astronomer was the first to discover that the Earth revolves around the Sun. 

Ans: There is only one solar system in the universe. 

Ans: Our solar system consists of only stars and we know it as The Sun. 

Ans: The size of the solar system is almost 12 trillion miles, nearly 2 light years. 

Related Articles: 

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Deepika Joshi

Deepika Joshi is an experienced content writer with expertise in creating educational and informative content. She has a year of experience writing content for speeches, essays, NCERT, study abroad and EdTech SaaS. Her strengths lie in conducting thorough research and ananlysis to provide accurate and up-to-date information to readers. She enjoys staying updated on new skills and knowledge, particulary in education domain. In her free time, she loves to read articles, and blogs with related to her field to further expand her expertise. In personal life, she loves creative writing and aspire to connect with innovative people who have fresh ideas to offer.

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  • Solar System Essay

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Introduction to Essay Writing on Solar System on Vedantu

An essay is a piece of writing where an author expresses in detail all the information on a particular topic. An essay differs from other writing because it is more structured and it provides the author with their own perspective. In this particular essay, we shall know in detail about the solar system. Use this essay as a reference essay and try writing an essay on the solar system.

Let us begin our learning!

Essay on Solar System

The solar system consists of the sun, eight planets, and sixty-seven satellites of the planets, and a large number of small bodies (comets and asteroids). Earlier, Pluto was considered the smallest planet but now Pluto is not recognized anymore as a planet. The inner solar system comprises Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune form the outer solar system. These four planets are massive in size; hence they are called Giant Planets. Each planet revolves around the sun in its own orbits at its own speed.

Let us explore all the celestial bodies present in the Solar system.

The Sun was born 4.6 billions of years ago and it was formed from a giant rotating cloud of gasses and dust known as solar Nebula. The sun is the biggest star present at the center of the solar system. It is a self-luminous sphere of gasses. Its gravitational force holds the entire solar system. It has a radius of 695,508 kilometers and is 150 million kilometers away from Earth.

Mercury is the smallest and closest planet to the sun. It is also called Swift planet because it completes its revolution in 88 earth days. Its diameter is only one third of Earth but its density is about the same. The temperature of this planet is as high as 450 degrees Celsius in the mornings and nights are freezing cold. The surface of this planet is filled with craters, mountains and valleys.

Venus is the second closest planet to the sun and the hottest. Venus is the brightest planet and hence called the morning star. Venus is named after the Roman Goddess of love and beauty. Venus completes one revolution around the sun in 255 earth days. Venus spins clockwise on its orbits unlike other planets. Its surface is covered with clouds, craters, mountains and lava plains.

The third planet in the solar system is Earth. This is the only planet that sustains life. It is called the Blue planet because 70% of the earth's surface is covered with water. Earth takes 365 days to complete one revolution around the sun. This planet has only one natural satellite, the Moon.

The fourth planet from the sun in the solar system is Mars. It appears as a red-orange ball because of the presence of iron oxide and so it is called the Red planet. It is the second smallest planet after Mercury. Mars is named after the Roman God of war. Its surface is covered with volcanoes, craters all over.

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Jupiter is rich in hydrogen and helium gas and so it is also called a Gas Giant planet. Jupiter takes 4333 earth days to complete one revolution around the sun. This planet has 79 satellites. Jupiter has four rings.

Saturn is the least dense planet in the solar system. It is the second-largest planet. Saturn can float in water because it is made up of gasses like helium. The beautiful rings around the planet are made up of bits of ice, rock, and dust. Saturn revolves very slowly around the sun. This planet is named after the Roman God of agriculture and wealth.

Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system. It takes 84 earth years to complete one revolution around the sun. Uranus is called an ice giant planet because its layer is made of ice and hydrogen, helium and methane. Uranus looks blue in color because of the presence of methane. Uranus has 27 satellites.

Neptune is the eighth and the farthest planet from the sun in the solar system. Neptune is named after the Roman God of the sea. Its atmosphere is made up of hydrogen, helium and methane and the presence of methane gives the color blue to the planet. It takes 165 earth years to complete one revolution. Neptune has 6 rings.

Comets and Asteroids:

Comets and Asteroids are the small celestial bodies that rotate around the sun. Asteroids are made up of rocks, metals and water. Comets are made up of frozen ammonia, methane and small amounts of rocky material.

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FAQs on Solar System Essay

1. How many planets are there in the solar system?

There are eight planets in the solar system.

2. Is the sun a planet or star?

The sun is a big star located at the centre of the solar system.

3. Which planet sustains life?

The Earth planet sustains life.

4. Which is the coldest planet in the solar system?

Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system.

5. How to write well on any topic?

It is very important for the students to learn to write on their own. To write a good essay students should follow the following steps - 

Try to understand the topic you want to write about 

Read from multiple sources to get an idea of the topic 

Prepare a structure that is what all you want to cover in your writing 

Note down all the important points according to your structure 

Arrange the collected information in the pre-decided structure 

Remember to keep your readers engaged in your essay

Try to use idea and words which doesn't hurt anyone's emotions

Start writing and with time you would get better in the process

 You can also send us your essays or writing which will be evaluated by the faculty.

6. What should be the structure on which an essay can be written?

Like every writing, an essay also has three parts that are the introduction, body, and conclusion. Keep the introduction very interesting, get the attention of your reader by starting with a short story then gradually introduce your topic through that story. Secondly, make the audience aware of the keywords of the topic. In the body, write in detail about the topic like state the historical, economical, social, environmental, cultural factors of your topic. And then conclude your essay by summarizing the key message and the takeaways of the essay. Try to practice with this framework and in due course of time, you will be able to write an excellent essay. Also, try to read from some great essays.

7. What is the process of planet formation called?

The process by which planets are formed is called planetesimals. In the process, the clouds of gasses came together due to gravitational differences . The area of more clouds had higher gravitation and thus attracted more clouds towards them. The ball of clouds takes a round shape through the process of accretion.  

Read the article on Solar systems on the website of Vedantu.

8. What are terrestrial and jovian planets?

Terrestrial planets are planets closer to the Sun, it is also called inner planets. These planets are also called Earth-like planets as their features are similar to the Earth. It includes four planets which are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Whereas jovian planets are the outer planets which are farther from the Sun. They are also called Jupiter-like planets as they share features similar to Jupiter. It includes Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

9. Can we draw diagrams in an essay? 

Some diagrammatic representation in an essay can be done. However, it is recommended that we should avoid drawing diagrams in an essay as it breaks the flow of the writing. Read some good essays to improve your writing style.

The Origins of the Solar System Essay

Introduction.

The origin of the Sun and its orbiting planets has been a point of hypothesis and conjecture ever since man looked upon the stars and planets and wondered about their origins. For the ancient Greek and Roman civilization the celestial bodies they observed in the sky were thought of as Gods and Goddesses, looking down up the Earth from some form of godlike platform. Today, it is an established fact that the heavenly bodies we see in the night sky are composed of planets and stars, celestial bodies of rock, gas and varying forms of elements that were formed billions of years ago. Even though such objects have been observed for hundreds of years it is only within the last 200 that humanity has begun to understand their unique qualities. While there have been conjectures, varying hypothesis and age old established theories what must be understood is that as the science of astronomy evolves humanity begins to slowly adapt to new information, new discoveries and subsequent re-evaluations of what we knew of as fact. For example, early studies of astronomy adopted the geocentric model in that they believed that the sun, planets, moon and stars revolved around the Earth, not only that there was also the belief that the Earth was in fact flat (Copernicus, 2009: 83). It is based on this that when examining the established theories on the origins of the solar system one must do so with both an open yet skeptical mind, taking into account the given data and observations yet not clearly adhering to any one theory as being definitive proof.

Another interesting topic that should be taken note of is the origin of the Earth itself for just as there have been numerous theories as to the origin of the solar system there have been a plethora of theories which have attempted to determine the origin of the Earth itself. Our home planet is unique in that it is the only planet within our solar system that has sufficiently developed to be able to support life. While there have been varying accounts of how life came to be on Earth, with religion and science vying for attention, the fact remains that the uniqueness of our planet should not be underestimated and as such bodes a certain degree of curiosity as to the origins of the unique circumstances that enabled Earth to become what it is today. It is based on the various questions presented that this paper will explore the origins of the solar system and of Earth itself in order to attain a clear picture of where it came from and what its possible end could be.

The Nebular Hypothesis

Artist Representation of Pre-Solar Nebula

Currently, one of the most widely accepted theories regarding the formation of the solar system is that of the nebular hypothesis which states that the solar system originated from a molecular cloud wherein through the introduction of an external force caused a gravitational collapse of the fragment resulting in the creation of A pre-solar nebula that would eventually become our solar system (Glassmeier, 2006: 1 – 5). While there has been no definitive evidence as to the exact origin of the external force that caused a section of the molecular cloud to collapse rather than dispersing it into space it is theorized that the energy from a nearby supernova produced sufficient enough force to cause the collapse and help trigger the necessary events needed to create the solar system. While few studies dispute the nebular hypothesis several do call into question the theory that a supernova caused the initial collapse. Studies such as those by Woolfson (2010) state that the energies from a supernova instead of causing a section of the molecular cloud to collapse would have actually dispersed a majority of the cloud into space thus preventing the formation of the solar system (Woolfson, 2000: 1 – 15). Furthermore, while the nebular hypothesis has been well established as a guiding concept in understanding the creation of celestial bodies little is known as to the precise origins of the molecular cloud that gave birth to the solar system itself. Several scientists such as Lognonne et al. (2007) state that origin of the Sun and its surrounding planets was a molecular cloud and go to great lengths explaining how it led to the creation of the solar system yet a lot of studies neglect to mention how the molecular cloud came to be in the first place (Lognonne et al., 2007: 1 -3)

Origin of the Molecular Cloud

Artist Rendering of Molecular Cloud

While this paper has so far expounded on the nebular theory involving the Solar system’s origins as coming from a giant molecular cloud a rather interesting question comes to mind, “if the origin of the solar system is that of a giant molecular cloud where did the molecular cloud come from?”. Studies such as those by Sorrell (2008) explain that while our own sun is 4.5 billion years old the age of the universe itself has been estimated at roughly 13.75 billion years (estimate subject to change due to varying accounts as to the proper calculation) (Sorrell, 2008: 45 – 49). Furthermore it must be noted that our sun is not the oldest sun in the universe let alone in our galaxy and in fact can be considered in the prime of its “youth” as a main sequence star (Naylor, 2009: 432). It has been theorized by researchers such as Freire (2008) that a few billion years after the Big Bang, Super Massive stars, many times the temperature of our current sun and several times its size, were among the first stars to form within the universe (Freire, 2008: 459-460). These celestial bodies were able to grow to such great size due to less “competition” for available materials in order to coalesce into stars; it must be noted though that at this point in time planets were unable to form due to the lack of heavier elements in which a sufficient enough solid mass could coalesce into a planet (Dessart, 2010: 2113-2125).

Rather interestingly, it was actually due to the inherent instability of Super Massive stars that the universe became what it is today; this is due to the theory that as a direct result of their internal instability most of the original Super Massive stars became supernovas which actually caused the original molecular clouds in the universe to form (Dessart et al., 2010: 2120 – 2125). The original state of the universe was actually more “pure” in the sense that there was a distinct lack of heavier elements, as such the question of “where did the heavier elements come from?” comes to mind. This is actually resolved by looking at the activity of our own sun wherein through a process called stellar nucleosynthesis in which the nuclear reactions within the sun itself is able to help build the nuclei of elements that are heavier than hydrogen (Chiosi, 2010).

Runaway Star Hypothesis

Runaway Star Captured by Hubble Space Telescope

In relation to the explanation of the origins of the molecular cloud as coming from the debris from Super Massive stars Courtland (2010) presents a new theory that details exactly how the molecular cloud that spawned the solar system came to be. In her study which involved the examination of various meteorites she discovered that sealed within the rock were calcium-aluminum rich incisions (Al-26) that could only have been formed by stars that were at least 10 times as massive as the sun (Courtland, 2010: 8). Due to the fact that Super Massive stars usually form within clusters with Al 26 usually decaying rapidly due to the intense heat within such clusters it is hypothesized by Courtland (2010) that a run away must have been tossed out of its orbit as a direct result of either an explosion of a nearby Super Massive star or due to combined gravitational push by its sibling stars within the cluster (Courtland, 2010: 8). Due to Super Massive stars having a relatively short life cycle when the star became a supernova the dispersed molecules and elements became the molecular cloud that we know of today as being the primary basis of the nebular hypothesis.

Formation of the Sun and Planets

Creation of the sun.

Life Cycle of the Sun

Since this paper has now established the various theories which attempt to explain the origins of the molecular cloud that brought about the creation of the solar it is now necessary to explain the current prevailing theory on how the planets and the creation of the sun came about. As mentioned earlier, in the section detailing the nebular theory, it was explained that as a direct result of a gravitational collapse of a section of the molecular cloud this precipitated the creation of the solar system (Boeyens, 2009: 493-499). A better explanation of this would be that as section of the nebula collapsed this produced a certain degree of angular momentum wherein the nebula actually began to spin faster as it collapsed in on itself. This spinning combined within the collapse produced a great deal of kinetic energy within the core of the molecular cloud until the result was a contraction of the center of the molecular cloud, which had now become a disc shaped object, into what is known as a proto-star, namely a star that has yet to have hydrogen fusion occur at its core (Boeyens, 2009: 493-499). Within 50 million years the internal temperature and pressure of the core itself was able to build to sufficient levels resulting in the start of hydrogen fusion marking the entry of the sun into its life as a main sequence star (Boeyens, 2009: 493-499)

Theory of Accretion

Accretion Model of Earth’s Creation

The theory of accretion is currently the most widely accepted theory proposing the creation of the planets, in it the theory indicates that the leftover material from the sun’s creation continued to spin around the sun slowly clumping together piece by piece until larger dust shaped particles were created (Ogihara et al., 2007: 522-530). Gradually these dust particles also began clumping together resulting in the creation of larger and larger objects until finally the entire solar system was composed of literally dozens of moon sized objects that crashed into each over a period of several million years (Ogihara et al., 2007: 522-530). It must be noted that the reason why such a process didn’t just create a system of bits and pieces of rock is due to the fact that these moon sized objects actually had viscous outer cores in the sense that their composition was similar to lava due to the high temperatures of the sun at the time and the process of accretion itself. As such when the objects collided what resulted was not a titanic clash that mutually shattered the objects but rather a process where both objects combined to form a larger structure or surfaces were “swapped” in the sense that certain parts of either proto-planet’s surface accreted to the colliding object (Ogihara et al., 2007: 522-530).

Creation of the Earth

Originally the Earth was a proto-planet no bigger than the moon yet over several million years the process of accretion was able to slowly build up the Earth to its present shape. It must be noted though that the early outer core of the planet was fluid in that due to the intense heat present at the time metals that had accumulated on the planet’s surface slowly submerged into the inner core creating the metallic core that is present today (Robin, 2008: 4061 -4075). Within 150 million years of the planet reaching its current mass the surface sufficiently cooled resulting in the creation of a primitive crust, yet unlike today the surface of the Earth is estimated by studies as being roughly 1600 degrees Celsius with numerous volcanoes dotting the landscape releasing gases into the atmosphere which formed the initial atmosphere of the planet which was kept in place by Earth’s inherent gravity (Robin, 2008: 4061 -4075).

Formation of the Oceans: Comet/Proto-planet Impact Theory

Most scientists agree that the presence of water on the Earth was the pivotal necessity necessary in order for life to start on the planet. When examining the process of Earth’s creation though there seems to be few indicators of water actually forming directly from the process of creation or within the Earth itself (Robin, 2008: 4061 -4075). One theory that attempts to explain this is the comet/proto-planet impact theory which states that proto-planets, planetoids and comets that were composed of ice were actually prevalent in the inner system during the later stages of the process of accretion. (Robin, 2008: 4061 -4075) As such as the Earth continued to orbit around the sun it supposedly impact millions of comets along with several icy proto-planets to create the water that can be seen in the oceans today. In fact, 4.4 billion years after the creation of the sun the Earth had actually sufficiently cooled enough to actually create clouds, rain, and the even oceans on the planets surface (Robin, 2008: 4061 -4075). This particular period marks the creation of the atmosphere that is present in the world today which is a combination of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases.

By the end of this paper it has become apparent that the process of creation of our solar system and even of our planet has been an accumulation of fortunate incidents that culminated in humanity evolving into its present state. When examining the theories explaining the creation of the molecular cloud, how Courtland (2010) presented the notion that the molecular cloud our present system came from originated from a rogue Super Massive star that coincidentally was shot out of its group by gravitational forces, that it was able to travel far enough to an area ideal enough for uninterrupted growth, that the creation of our planet was in the right place, at the right time with readily available water literally crashing into the planet in order to support life; a combination of all of these completely coincidental factors almost leads one to believe that the creation of humanity itself was no accident but on purpose. On the other hand there are quite literally billions upon billions of solar systems within the universe and it might actually be the case that the process that created the Earth is not so coincidental and that somewhere out there life similarly exists on thousands of planetary systems with the exact same composition as that of humanity yet far away enough that we cannot see the similarities at the present.

Reference List

Boeyens, JA 2009, ‘Commensurability in the solar system’, Physics Essays , 22, 4, pp. 493-499, Academic Search Premier.

‘Copernicus’ 2009, American Heritage Student Science Dictionary , p. 83, Science Reference Center.

Courtland, R 2010, ‘Runaway star may have spawned the solar system’, New Scientist , 205, 2754, p. 8, Academic Search Premier.

Chiosi, C 2010, ‘Primordial and Stellar Nucleosynthesis Chemical Evolution of Galaxies’, AIP Conference Proceedings , 1213, 1, pp. 42-63, Academic Search Premier.

Dessart, L, Livne, E, & Waldman, R 2010, ‘Shock-heating of stellar envelopes: a possible common mechanism at the origin of explosions and eruptions in massive stars’, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society , 405, 4, pp. 2113-2131, Academic Search Premier.

Fazekas, A, (2010), Hubble telescope catches superfast runaway star . Web.

Freire, PC 2008, ‘Super-Massive Neutron Stars’, AIP Conference Proceedings , 983, 1, pp. 459-463, Academic Search Premier.

Glassmeier, K, Boehnhardt, H, Koschny, D, Kührt, E, & Richter, I 2006, ‘The Rosetta Mission: Flying Towards the Origin of the Solar System’, Space Science Reviews , 128, 1-4, pp. 1-21, Academic Search Premier.

Lognonne, P, Des Marais, D, Raulin, F, & Fishbaugh, K 2007, ‘Epilogue: The Origins of Life in the Solar System and Future Exploration’, Space Science Reviews , 129, 1-3, pp. 301-304, Academic Search Premier.

McFadden, L, Weissman, P, & Johnson, T 2007, Encyclopedia of the Solar System , Elsevier LTD., eBook Collection. Web.

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. (N.I.). Hd 141569a’s disk . Web.

Naylor, T 2009, ‘Are pre-main-sequence stars older than we thought?’, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society , 399, 1, pp. 432-442, Academic Search Premier.

N.I.. (2010). The Creation of the Earth. Web.

Ogihara, M, Ida, S, & Morbidelli, A 2007, ‘Accretion of terrestrial planets from oligarchs in a turbulent disk’, ICARUS , 188, 2, pp. 522-534, Academic Search Premier.

Photo Journal. (2007). Pia09967: water’s early journey in a solar system (artist concept) . Web.

Robin M., C 2008, ‘Accretion of the Earth’, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical & Engineering Sciences , 366, 1883, pp. 4061-4075, Academic Search Premier.

Sorrell, WH 2008, ‘The cosmic age crisis and the Hubble constant in a non-expanding universe’, Astrophysics & Space Science , 317, 1/2, pp. 45-58, Academic Search Premier.

Woolfson, M 2000, ‘The origin and evolution of the solar system’, Astronomy & Geophysics , 41, 1, pp. 1.12-1.19, Academic Search Premier.

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Essay on Solar System

The universe is a vast and mysterious place, and at the heart of it lies our solar system—a captivating and wondrous collection of celestial bodies. In this essay, we will explore the incredible beauty and fascinating science of our solar system, revealing why it continues to be a source of wonder and inspiration.

The Sun: Our Radiant Star

At the center of our solar system shines the Sun, a blazing ball of hot gases. It provides us with warmth, light, and the energy needed for life on Earth. Did you know that the Sun is so massive that it makes up 99.86% of the solar system’s total mass? That’s an astounding statistic!

The Planets: Our Cosmic Companions

Our solar system is home to eight planets, each with its unique characteristics. The four inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are rocky and terrestrial. The four outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are giant gas planets. Jupiter, the largest, is even larger than all the other planets combined!

Earth: Our Precious Home

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only one known to support life. Its diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to vast oceans, provide habitats for countless species, including us humans. It’s crucial that we take good care of our planet to ensure a healthy future for all.

The Moon: Earth’s Faithful Companion

Earth is not alone in its journey around the Sun; it has a loyal companion—the Moon. The Moon’s gravitational pull creates tides, and its surface is marked by craters, mountains, and plains. Human beings have even set foot on the Moon during the Apollo missions!

Asteroids and Comets: Cosmic Wanderers

Beyond the planets, our solar system is teeming with smaller objects like asteroids and comets. Asteroids are rocky remnants from the early solar system, while comets are icy bodies that release beautiful tails when they approach the Sun. Studying these objects helps us understand the solar system’s history.

Space Exploration: Unraveling Mysteries

Humans have always been curious about the solar system, and our desire to explore it has led to amazing discoveries. Space missions like Voyager, Hubble, and Mars rovers have provided us with breathtaking images and invaluable information about distant planets, stars, and galaxies.

The Solar System’s Mysteries

Despite our advances in space exploration, there is still much we don’t know about the solar system. Mysteries abound, from the potential existence of a ninth planet beyond Neptune to the origin of life on Earth. Scientists continue to conduct research and missions to uncover these secrets.

Conclusion of Essay on Solar System

In conclusion, the solar system is a source of wonder and inspiration for people of all ages. It reminds us of our small place in the vast universe and the beauty and complexity of the cosmos. From the blazing Sun to the distant reaches of space, there is always something new and exciting to discover.

As we gaze up at the night sky, let us remember the remarkable journey of exploration and discovery that has brought us closer to understanding the solar system’s wonders. Let us also recognize the importance of protecting our own planet, Earth, and preserving the beauty of the solar system for future generations. In doing so, we honor the legacy of those who have ventured into the cosmos and continue to inspire future generations of explorers. The solar system, our cosmic neighborhood, beckons us to explore, learn, and marvel at the wonders of the universe.

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Essay on Solar System and Planets in English for Children and Students

essay by solar system

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Our solar system consists of a sun, eight planets, satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids and comets. The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Earlier it had nine planets. However, Pluto, the ninth planet does not meet the latest standards set for the planets. It has now been termed as a dwarf planet thereby increasing the count of the dwarf planets in our solar system to five.

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Long and Short Essays on Solar System and Planets in English

Here are long and short essay on solar system and planets in English, to help you with the topic in your exams or essay writing/debate competitions.

After going through these solar system and planets essay, you will know about the formation of solar system, when the planets were discovered, the dwarf planets, satellites and characteristics of individual planets etc.

All in all, these Solar System and Planets Essays will make you familiar with the universe we are a part of, so much so, that you can confidently take part in debates, talk shows and discussions, on our solar system and its planets. Please go through these essays to select your needed ones:

Short Essay on Solar System and Planets (200 words)

The universe is massive. It is much bigger than we can imagine and our solar system is just a small part of it. Our solar system houses a big, bright star called the Sun. The Sun is a rich source of electromagnetic energy that it exudes in the form of light and heat. There are eight planets in our solar system namely, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. These planets revolve around the sun in a fixed path referred to as the orbit. Several other smaller objects also move around the sun.

Many planets in our solar system have natural satellites called the moon. While Earth has one moon, Mars has two, Neptune has 14 moons, Uranus has 27 moons, Saturn has 62 moons and Jupiter has as many as 79 moons. Even the dwarf planet Pluto has 5 moons. Mercury and Venus, on the other hand, do not have any moon. Just as the planets move around the Sun in a fixed path, moons orbit around their respective planets.

In addition to the Sun, planets and moons, our solar system consists of several other celestial bodies called the comets, asteroids and meteoroids. While our solar system has only one star, many other solar systems are known to have at least two stars.

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Essay on Solar System and Planets (300 words)

Introduction

Our solar system was formed billions of years ago. It consists of numerous celestial bodies including planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, meteorites and a massive star. Our solar system forms a part of the Milky Way Galaxy. Various celestial bodies in our solar system revolve around the Sun directly or indirectly.

The Formation of the Solar System

It is believed that around 4.6 billion years ago, the gravitational collapse of a giant interstellar molecular cloud gave shape to our solar system. Major part of the collapsing mass collated at the centre, that formed the Sun. The remaining mass flattened into a proto planetary disk and formed the planets, satellites and other objects in the solar system. Planet Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, contains major chunk of the remaining mass.

Our solar system is believed to have evolved substantially since its inception. Many new moons have come into shape from the gases and dust around the planets. Several collisions among the celestial bodies have also occurred and still continue to occur thereby contributing to the evolution of the solar system.

The Discovery of Planets

For thousands of years astronomers believed that Earth was stationary and formed the centre of the universe. It was in the 18 th century that the astronomers accepted that Earth orbits around the Sun.

In 2 nd millennium BC, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were identified by ancient Babylonian astronomers. Later, Nicolaus Copernicus also identified them. Uranus was discovered by famous astronomer, Sir William Herschel in 1781. Neptune was discovered by English astronomer and mathematician, John Couch Adams in the year 1846. It was in the year 1930 that the ninth planet, Pluto was discovered. Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto which is now identified as a dwarf planet.

The study of the universe and heavenly bodies is one of the most fascinating studies. Through continuous research, astronomers have found out several surprising facts about the universe and our solar system. Our solar system is ever evolving and newer facts are being discovered and studied by researchers year after year.

Essay on Solar System and Planets (400 words)

Celestial bodies are objects that naturally occur in the observable universe. These include the stars, natural satellites, planets, asteroids, galaxies, comets and meteorites. Our solar system consists of a Sun, eight planets their moons, five dwarf planets and asteroids among other celestial bodies. Brief information about each of the celestial bodies present in our solar system is given below.

The Sun is the only star on our solar system. It is stationary and the other objects in our solar system revolve around it. It is the most massive component of our solar system. Research states that it comprises of 99.86% of the entire mass of our solar system.

The Planets

There are eight planets in the solar system. These are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The planets have been divided into two groups – Terrestrial Planets and Giant Planets. Planets vary based on their size, geological features, mass, number of satellites and various other factors. No traces of life have been found on any planet apart from Earth.

The Dwarf Planets

There are five dwarf planets in our solar system. These are Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Eris and Makemake. While Ceres is situated in the asteroid belt others are located in the outer solar system. Dwarf planets are quite like the full size planets. The only difference is that the full size planets have cleared the objects in the area of their orbit whereas the dwarf planets have not.

Astronomers claim that there are six other objects in our solar system that are akin to the dwarf planets. These may be officially recognized as dwarf planets in the times to come.

There are a total of 193 moons in our solar system as per a research conducted in the year 2008. Out of these, 185 moons orbit around the full size planets and 8 moons revolve around the dwarf planets. Moons come in various sizes and shapes. They differ from each other in various ways. Most of the moons are airless. However, there are some that have atmosphere. Some even have hidden oceans. Each planet has different number of moons. Earth has just one moon while Jupiter has the highest number of moons. It has a total of 79 moons. Moons orbit around their respective planets.

In addition to the aforementioned, there are many other celestial bodies in our solar system. These include the Interplanetary Medium, Kuiper Belt, Oort Cloud, asteroids and meteoroids. The Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud comprise of billions of icy objects. Each celestial body in our solar system is unique with its own set of features.

Essay on Solar System and Planets (500 words)

Our Solar System – A Small Part of the Universe

Our solar system is huge but nothing compared to the size of the universe. The universe is humongous and is believed to encompass numerous solar systems consisting of several planets, stars and other heavenly bodies. The universe is all space and time and it is not possible to calculate its spatial size. The size of the observable universe is estimated to be 93 billion light years.

The Galaxies and Solar Systems

Research shows that just like our solar system there are numerous other solar systems in the universe. The universe consists of billions of galaxies. Each of these galaxies has uncountable stars and many of these stars are said to have solar systems of their own. The size of the stars, the number of planets, the geological features of the planets, the number and size of the natural satellites vary from solar system to solar system.

Our solar system is a part of the Milky Way Galaxy. The Milky Way Galaxy is huge. It has more than 100 billion stars. More than 2500 stars with planets orbiting around them have been discovered in the Milky Way Galaxy. The study in this field is going on constantly. There are numerous planetary systems that the scientists and astronomers are yet to discover.

Our Solar System

Our solar system encompasses Sun which is a big ball of fire. Sun is stationary and forms the centre of our solar system. Eight planets namely, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune revolve around the Sun. Each of these planets move in a fixed path in its own set speed. The geological features of each of these planets are different. While Neptune is freezing cold, Venus is scorching hot. Similarly, while Jupiter is massively big, Mercury is comparatively very small in size. The planet is even smaller than some of the moons in our solar system. The atmosphere of each of the planets is different. Planets have been divided into two groups and the features of the planets within each group also vary vastly.

Earth is the only planet in our solar system which is known to have life. It is filled with vast oceans and gases such as oxygen and nitrogen that render life. Mars is said to share some similarities with Earth. Evidences of ice have been found on the planet. The planet is extremely cold and thus life there seems impossible. However, it is believed that the planet was once wet and warm and life existed here. Astronomers are studying this planet closely and have found many interesting facts about the same. These planets have different numbers of natural satellites.

Apart from this, there are five dwarf planets in our solar system. These are Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, Eris and Pluto. Earlier there were nine planets in our solar system and Pluto was one among them. However, it has now been termed as a dwarf planet.

The Universe is vast and there is a lot to study and discover. Scientists have studied our solar system deeply for centuries and are now moving beyond to study other solar systems and galaxies. A lot of interesting facts about this enchanting universe are likely to surface in the times to come.

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Long Essay on Solar System and Planets (600 words)

Our solar system consists of eight planets that revolve around the Sun, which is central to our solar system. These planets have broadly been classified into two categories – inner planets and outer planets. There are four inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The inner planets are closer to the Sun and smaller in size as compared to the outer planets. These are also referred to as the Terrestrial planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are termed as the outer planets. These are massive in size and are often referred to as Giant planets.

Here is brief information about each of these planets:

The smallest planet in our solar system, Mercury is also the closest to the Sun. Its geological features consist of lobed ridges and impact craters. Being closest to the Sun, Mercury’s temperature sores extremely high during the day time. It can go as high as 450 degree Celsius. Surprisingly, the nights here are freezing cold.

Mercury has a diameter of 4,878 km. It does not have any natural satellite.

Venus is said to be the hottest planet of our solar system. It has a toxic atmosphere that traps heat. It is also the brightest planet and is visible to the naked eye. It has a thick silicate layer around an iron core which is similar to that of Earth. Astronomers have seen traces of internal geological activity on this planet.

Venus has a diameter of 12,104 km. Just like Mars, Venus also does not have any natural satellite.

Earth is the largest inner planet. Two-third of this planet is covered with water. It is the only planet in our solar system where life is known to exist. Earth’s atmosphere, which is rich in nitrogen and oxygen, makes it fit for the survival of various species of flora and fauna. However, human activities are having negative impact on its atmosphere.

Earth has a diameter of 12,760 km. It has one natural satellite, the moon.

Mars, the fourth planet from Sun, is often referred to as the Red Planet. The iron oxide present on this planet gives it a reddish appeal. The planet is cold and has geological features similar to that of Earth. This is the reason why it has captured the interest of astronomers like no other planet. Traces of frozen ice caps have been found on the planet.

Mars has a diameter of 6,787 km and two natural satellites.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It has a strong magnetic field. It largely consists of helium and hydrogen. It has a Great Red Spot and cloud bands. A giant storm is believed to have raged here for hundreds of years.

Jupiter has a diameter of 139,822 km and has as many as 79 natural satellites.

Saturn is known for its ring system. These rings are made of tiny particles of ice and rock. Its atmosphere is quite like that of Jupiter as it is also largely composed of hydrogen and helium.

Saturn has a diameter of 120,500 km. It has 62 natural satellites that are mainly composed of ice.

Uranus, the seventh planet from Sun, is the lightest of all the giant, outer planets. It has a blue tint which is because of the presence of Methane in the atmosphere. Its core is colder than the other giant planets. The planet orbits on its side.

Uranus has a diameter of 51,120 km and 27 natural satellites.

The last planet in our solar system, Neptune is also the coldest of all. It is around the same size as the Uranus but is much more massive and dense. Neptune’s atmosphere is composed of helium, hydrogen, methane and ammonia. It experiences extremely strong winds. It is the only planet in our solar system which is found by mathematical prediction.

Neptune has a diameter of 49,530 km. It has 14 natural satellites.

Scientists and astronomers have been studying our solar system for centuries and the findings are quite interesting. Various planets that form a part of our solar system have their own unique geological features and are different from each other in several ways.

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  • Paragraph Writing
  • Paragraph On Solar System

Paragraph on Solar System - Check Samples for 100, 150, 200, 250 Words

The eight planets, the sun and the satellites constitute the solar system. Previously, there were nine planets, but Pluto is no longer recognised as a planet now. The sun is at the centre of the solar system, and all eight planets revolve around it. The rotation and revolution of the planets cause the change of the season and day and night.

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Paragraph on solar system in 100 words, paragraph on solar system in 150 words, paragraph on solar system in 200 words, paragraph on solar system in 250 words, frequently asked questions on solar system.

Our solar system is unique in that it supports life on its third planet. Children are taught about the solar system in their schools as it is an important part of our lives. In order to write about the solar system, you can refer to the samples provided below.

As per our knowledge, there are approximately 500 solar systems in the universe. The solar system consists of the sun, the eight planets and the satellites. Other than these, there are asteroids, comets, dust, minor planets, and gas. The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars constitute the inner solar system, and the asteroid belt lies between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are the outer solar system planets. The rotation of the planets causes the day and night, and the revolution of planets around the sun causes the change of seasons. Our solar system is present in the Milkyway galaxy. As per astronomers and scientists, the earth is the only planetary body that supports life.

The sun, eight planets, and satellites make up the solar system. Asteroids, comets, dust, small planets, and gas are among the other objects found in space. The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars make up the inner solar system, whereas the asteroid belt is between Mars and Jupiter’s orbit. According to our knowledge, there are around 500 solar systems in the universe. The outer solar system planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The sun is at the centre of the solar system, and the planets revolve around it in their own orbits. The rotation of the planets causes the days and nights, and the changing of seasons is caused by the revolution of the planets around the sun. Our solar system exists in the Milkyway galaxy. According to scientists and astronomers, the earth is the only planetary body where life can exist. But this can be proven wrong after more discoveries about the universe.

The solar system comprises the sun, eight planets (Pluto is considered as a dwarf planet), and satellites. Other than these, there are also asteroids, comets, dust, small planets, and gases found in space. The sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars make up the inner solar system and Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are in the outer solar system. The asteroid belt lies in between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The sun is the biggest star in the solar system, which is at the centre of the solar system and the planets orbit around the sun. The planets rotate on their own axis and revolve around the sun in their own orbits. The rotation causes days and nights, whereas the revolution causes the change of seasons in the planets. The research on our universe is still going on, but there are around 500 solar systems present in our universe, as per the little information we have gathered. Our solar system lies in the Milkyway Galaxy, which appears like a white band in the night sky and is therefore named as Milkyway Galaxy. According to scientists and astronomers, the earth is the only planetary body where life can exist. But this can be proven wrong after other discoveries about the universe.

The sun, eight planets (including Pluto, which is a dwarf planet), and satellites make up the solar system. The inner solar system is made up of the sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, whereas the outer solar system is made up of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Between Mars and Jupiter’s orbits is where the asteroid belt lies. Asteroids, comets, dust, tiny planets, and gases are among the other objects that can be found in space. The sun is the largest star in the solar system, located at the centre of the system, around which all the eight planets revolve. Planets rotate in their own axes and follow their own orbits around the sun. The rotation of the planets in their own axes causes the change of day and night, and the revolution causes the change of seasons throughout the year. Research about the universe is still a vast ongoing process, but different scientists and researchers have come to various conclusions about the solar system. It has been found that the solar system lies in the Milkyway Galaxy. The Milkyway galaxy got its name from the Romans, who thought the earth’s nighttime skyline looked like a band and a patch of milk. As per our little knowledge, we know that there are about 500 solar systems in the universe, but later, there might be some additions. As per scientists and astronomers, the earth is the only planetary body where life can exist, but this can be proven wrong after more research and discoveries about the universe.

What are the components of the solar system?

The solar system consists of the sun, eight planets, satellites, asteroids, gases, comets, and dust particles.

How are days and nights caused?

Days and nights are caused due to the rotation of the planets in their own axes. It will be a day on the sun-facing side of the planet and a night on the other side.

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Solar System Essay in English For School Students

Unlock the secrets of our solar system with our comprehensive Solar System essay on its formation, structure, and fascinating celestial bodies.

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November 1, 2023

Solar System Essay

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The solar system essay is a remarkable and awe-inspiring essay about encompassing the Sun and its eight major planets, their moons, countless asteroids, and a myriad of comets. At its center is the Sun – a blazing ball of nuclear fusion that sustains life on Earth and all other celestial bodies nearby. Orbiting this source of energy are diverse planets, each with unique characteristics and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. From Mercury’s scorching inferno to Neptune’s icy desolation, our system showcases a wide range of environments.

Our home planet, Earth, stands out as the only known place in the universe where life thrives – making it particularly intriguing to both scientists and philosophers alike. The natural satellites of these planets – such as Earth’s Moon, Ganymede, and Titan – provide valuable insights into their parent bodies’ history and geology. In addition to these planets and their moons, the solar system also hosts numerous asteroids and comets which have played significant roles in shaping Earth’s past through impact events. Studying this vast system not only expands our understanding of the cosmos but also offers the potential for answers about the origin of life and habitable worlds beyond our own. As we continue exploring this wonderous celestial arrangement, it

It is a large celestial body that revolves in a fixed orbit around the Sun. It doesn’t have its lights and uses sunlight to reflect light. Because planets are closer to us, they don’t twinkle as stars. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars remain in the inner solar system, while Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are in the outer solar system.

Our Solar System

There are eight planets are divided into two groups: inner planets and outer planets. Inner planets, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are more minor and closer to the Sun. The remaining four planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune – are much larger and often called Giant planets.

Our Solar System

The most minor planet in our solar system is Mercury, which is also closest to the Sun. Mercury’s geological features include lobed ridges and impact craters. Mercury has a very high surface temperature due to its proximity to the Sun. It can reach temperatures of 450 degrees Celsius during the daytime, but at night, Mercury is cold. Mercury’s diameter is 4,878 kilometres, and it lacks a natural satellite.

As well as being the hottest planet in our solar system, Venus has a toxic atmosphere always traps heat. Venus is also the brightest planet and can be seen from the ground. Venus has the same iron core as Earth and has a thick silicate layer surrounding it. The Venus planet has a diameter of 12,104 km and is similar to Mars. Astronomers have seen evidence of internal geological activity. As with Mars, Venus does not have any natural satellites like Earth.

During the Earth’s lifetime, life is possible because it is covered two-thirds with water. The atmosphere on Earth, which is rich in nitrogen and oxygen, makes it an ideal place for various flora and fauna to survive. Earth has a diameter of 12,760 km and one natural satellite, the moon. 

Often referred to as the Red Planet, Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. This planet is cold and has similar geological features to Earth.This is the only reason why it has captured the interest of astronomers like no other planet. An ice cap has been discovered on this planet. 

Jupiter has a strong magnetic field and is primarily made up of helium and hydrogen. It also has a Great Red Spot and cloud bands. This giant storm is believed to have raged here for hundreds of years. There are 79 natural satellites on Jupiter, which is much more than there are on Earth and Mars combined. Jupiter has a diameter of 139,822 km.

As the sixth planet from the Sun, Saturn is also known for its ring system, composed primarily of ice and rock particles. Saturn’s atmosphere is quite like Jupiter’s because it is mostly made up of hydrogen and helium. Saturn has a diameter of 120,500 km and has 62 natural satellites, most of which are made up of ice. Saturn has fewer satellites than Jupiter.

The seventh planet from the Sun, Uranus, is the lightest. Uranus has a blue tint due to methane in its atmosphere. Its core is colder than the other giant planets, and it orbits on its side.

It is the coldest, Neptune is the largest and densest. Neptune has an atmosphere made up of helium, hydrogen, methane, and ammonia and has extremely strong winds. It is the only planet in our solar system that was discovered mathematically. Neptune has a diameter of 49,530 km and has 14 natural satellites, which is more than Earth or Mars combined.

Solar System Essay FAQs

Solar system essays examine the sun, planets, moons, asteroids, and comets of our celestial neighbourhood. They explore their characteristics, orbits, and the vastness of space.

The solar system is a collection of celestial bodies centred around the sun. It includes eight major planets, their moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects. The sun's gravity holds these bodies in orbit, creating a complex and fascinating cosmic neighbourhood.

Our solar system consists of the sun, a star at the centre, and various celestial objects orbiting it. This includes eight planets, their moons, asteroids, and comets. Earth, our home, is one of these planets and supports life as we know it.

The solar system comprises:

The sun is a massive star at the centre. Eight significant planets, including Earth, orbiting the sun. Numerous moons orbiting these planets. Asteroids are rocky objects, some of which are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are icy bodies that travel in elliptical orbits around the sun, occasionally becoming visible from Earth.

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Essay on Solar System

Students are often asked to write an essay on Solar System in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Solar System

The solar system.

Our solar system is a fascinating place. It’s home to eight planets, including our Earth. The sun, at the center, is a star providing light and heat.

The Inner Planets

The four inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are called terrestrial planets. They are primarily made of rock and metal.

The Outer Planets

The outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are gas giants and ice giants. They are much larger and colder than the inner planets.

Other Celestial Bodies

The solar system also includes moons, asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets like Pluto. These add to the diversity of our amazing solar system.

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250 Words Essay on Solar System

The marvel of the solar system.

The Solar System, a celestial marvel, is a complex and fascinating subject. It’s a stellar neighborhood comprising the Sun, eight planets, their moons, and a myriad of smaller objects like asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.

The Sun: The System’s Heart

The Sun, our Solar System’s heart, is an average-sized star, making up 99.86% of the system’s mass. Its immense gravitational pull keeps all the planets in their orbits. The Sun is a fusion reactor, converting hydrogen into helium, releasing energy that sustains life on Earth.

The Planetary Bodies

The planets, ordered from the sun, are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The inner planets, also known as terrestrial planets, are rocky, while the outer planets, the gas giants, are predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium.

The Earth: A Unique Planet

Earth, the third planet from the Sun, is unique because of its ability to support life. Its distance from the Sun, the magnetic field, and the atmosphere create a life-sustaining environment.

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets

Beyond Neptune lies the Kuiper Belt, home to icy bodies and dwarf planets like Pluto. The Asteroid Belt, located between Mars and Jupiter, contains numerous small, irregularly shaped bodies.

The Solar System’s Significance

The Solar System is a testament to the universe’s vast complexity and beauty. Its study helps us understand our place in the cosmos and inspires us to explore the unknown, fostering scientific advancements.

500 Words Essay on Solar System

The solar system: an overview.

The Solar System is a cosmic spectacle that has fascinated astronomers and common folk alike for millennia. It consists of eight planets, numerous moons, asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets, all revolving around the sun, which is the central star.

The Sun: The Central Star

At the core of our Solar System is the Sun. It is a medium-sized star, composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. It generates energy through a process called nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy. The Sun’s gravity holds the Solar System together, dictating the orbits of the celestial bodies within it.

The Inner Solar System

The inner Solar System consists of the four terrestrial planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These planets are characterized by solid, rocky surfaces. Earth, the third planet from the Sun, is unique due its life-sustaining environment, a feature not observed on any other planet in the Solar System.

The Outer Solar System

The outer Solar System is home to the four gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets are predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium, similar to the Sun, and are significantly larger than the terrestrial planets. Jupiter, the largest planet, is renowned for its Great Red Spot, a storm that has been raging for centuries.

The Asteroid Belt and Dwarf Planets

Between Mars and Jupiter lies the Asteroid Belt, a region populated by millions of asteroids. These rocky remnants are thought to be leftover building blocks of the Solar System. Beyond Neptune’s orbit reside the dwarf planets, the most famous of which is Pluto. Dwarf planets are similar to regular planets but are unable to clear their orbits of other debris.

The Oort Cloud and Kuiper Belt

The outermost regions of the Solar System are the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud. The Kuiper Belt is a region of space populated by icy bodies, including Pluto. The Oort Cloud, a theoretical cloud of predominantly icy planetesimals, is believed to be the source of long-period comets.

Exploration and Future Studies

The exploration of the Solar System has been a significant endeavor of the human race. Space missions, like the Voyager and Mars Rover programs, have provided invaluable insights into the nature and composition of our celestial neighborhood. Future missions aim to explore further, with particular interest in the potential for life on planets like Mars and moons like Europa.

In conclusion, our Solar System is a complex and fascinating subject of study. It provides not only a deeper understanding of our place in the universe but also insights into the fundamental processes that govern the cosmos. As we continue to explore and learn, we come closer to answering some of the most profound questions about our existence and the nature of the universe itself.

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Solar System and Planets Essay

Our solar system consists of a sun, eight planets, satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids and comets. The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Earlier it had nine planets. However, Pluto, the ninth planet does not meet the latest standards set for the planets. It has now been termed as a dwarf planet thereby increasing the count of the dwarf planets in our solar system to five.

Long and Short Essays on Solar System and Planets in English

Here are long and short essay on solar system and planets in English, to help you with the topic in your exams or essay writing/debate competitions.

After going through these solar system and planets essay, you will know about the formation of solar system, when the planets were discovered, the dwarf planets, satellites and characteristics of individual planets etc.

All in all, these Solar System and Planets Essays will make you familiar with the universe we are a part of, so much so, that you can confidently take part in debates, talk shows and discussions, on our solar system and its planets. Please go through these essays to select your needed ones:

Short Essay on Solar System and Planets (200 words)

The universe is massive. It is much bigger than we can imagine and our solar system is just a small part of it. Our solar system houses a big, bright star called the Sun. The Sun is a rich source of electromagnetic energy that it exudes in the form of light and heat. There are eight planets in our solar system namely, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. These planets revolve around the sun in a fixed path referred to as the orbit. Several other smaller objects also move around the sun.

Many planets in our solar system have natural satellites called the moon. While Earth has one moon, Mars has two, Neptune has 14 moons, Uranus has 27 moons, Saturn has 62 moons and Jupiter has as many as 79 moons. Even the dwarf planet Pluto has 5 moons. Mercury and Venus, on the other hand, do not have any moon. Just as the planets move around the Sun in a fixed path, moons orbit around their respective planets.

In addition to the Sun, planets and moons, our solar system consists of several other celestial bodies called the comets, asteroids and meteoroids. While our solar system has only one star, many other solar systems are known to have at least two stars.

Essay on Solar System and Planets (300 words)

Introduction

Our solar system was formed billions of years ago. It consists of numerous celestial bodies including planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, meteorites and a massive star. Our solar system forms a part of the Milky Way Galaxy. Various celestial bodies in our solar system revolve around the Sun directly or indirectly.

The Formation of the Solar System

It is believed that around 4.6 billion years ago, the gravitational collapse of a giant interstellar molecular cloud gave shape to our solar system. Major part of the collapsing mass collated at the centre, that formed the Sun. The remaining mass flattened into a proto planetary disk and formed the planets, satellites and other objects in the solar system. Planet Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, contains major chunk of the remaining mass.

Our solar system is believed to have evolved substantially since its inception. Many new moons have come into shape from the gases and dust around the planets. Several collisions among the celestial bodies have also occurred and still continue to occur thereby contributing to the evolution of the solar system.

The Discovery of Planets

For thousands of years astronomers believed that Earth was stationary and formed the centre of the universe. It was in the 18 th century that the astronomers accepted that Earth orbits around the Sun.

In 2 nd millennium BC, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were identified by ancient Babylonian astronomers. Later, Nicolaus Copernicus also identified them. Uranus was discovered by famous astronomer, Sir William Herschel in 1781. Neptune was discovered by English astronomer and mathematician, John Couch Adams in the year 1846. It was in the year 1930 that the ninth planet, Pluto was discovered. Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto which is now identified as a dwarf planet.

The study of the universe and heavenly bodies is one of the most fascinating studies. Through continuous research, astronomers have found out several surprising facts about the universe and our solar system. Our solar system is ever evolving and newer facts are being discovered and studied by researchers year after year.

Essay on Solar System and Planets (400 words)

Celestial bodies are objects that naturally occur in the observable universe. These include the stars, natural satellites, planets, asteroids, galaxies, comets and meteorites. Our solar system consists of a Sun, eight planets their moons, five dwarf planets and asteroids among other celestial bodies. Brief information about each of the celestial bodies present in our solar system is given below.

The Sun is the only star on our solar system. It is stationary and the other objects in our solar system revolve around it. It is the most massive component of our solar system. Research states that it comprises of 99.86% of the entire mass of our solar system.

The Planets

There are eight planets in the solar system. These are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The planets have been divided into two groups – Terrestrial Planets and Giant Planets. Planets vary based on their size, geological features, mass, number of satellites and various other factors. No traces of life have been found on any planet apart from Earth.

The Dwarf Planets

There are five dwarf planets in our solar system. These are Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Eris and Makemake. While Ceres is situated in the asteroid belt others are located in the outer solar system. Dwarf planets are quite like the full size planets. The only difference is that the full size planets have cleared the objects in the area of their orbit whereas the dwarf planets have not.

Astronomers claim that there are six other objects in our solar system that are akin to the dwarf planets. These may be officially recognized as dwarf planets in the times to come.

There are a total of 193 moons in our solar system as per a research conducted in the year 2008. Out of these, 185 moons orbit around the full size planets and 8 moons revolve around the dwarf planets. Moons come in various sizes and shapes. They differ from each other in various ways. Most of the moons are airless. However, there are some that have atmosphere. Some even have hidden oceans. Each planet has different number of moons. Earth has just one moon while Jupiter has the highest number of moons. It has a total of 79 moons.  Moons orbit around their respective planets.

In addition to the aforementioned, there are many other celestial bodies in our solar system. These include the Interplanetary Medium, Kuiper Belt, Oort Cloud, asteroids and meteoroids. The Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud comprise of billions of icy objects. Each celestial body in our solar system is unique with its own set of features.

Essay on Solar System and Planets (500 words)

Our Solar System – A Small Part of the Universe

Our solar system is huge but nothing compared to the size of the universe. The universe is humongous and is believed to encompass numerous solar systems consisting of several planets, stars and other heavenly bodies. The universe is all space and time and it is not possible to calculate its spatial size. The size of the observable universe is estimated to be 93 billion light years.

The Galaxies and Solar Systems

Research shows that just like our solar system there are numerous other solar systems in the universe. The universe consists of billions of galaxies. Each of these galaxies has uncountable stars and many of these stars are said to have solar systems of their own. The size of the stars, the number of planets, the geological features of the planets, the number and size of the natural satellites vary from solar system to solar system.

Our solar system is a part of the Milky Way Galaxy. The Milky Way Galaxy is huge. It has more than 100 billion stars. More than 2500 stars with planets orbiting around them have been discovered in the Milky Way Galaxy. The study in this field is going on constantly. There are numerous planetary systems that the scientists and astronomers are yet to discover.

Our Solar System

Our solar system encompasses Sun which is a big ball of fire. Sun is stationary and forms the centre of our solar system. Eight planets namely, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune revolve around the Sun. Each of these planets move in a fixed path in its own set speed. The geological features of each of these planets are different. While Neptune is freezing cold, Venus is scorching hot. Similarly, while Jupiter is massively big, Mercury is comparatively very small in size. The planet is even smaller than some of the moons in our solar system. The atmosphere of each of the planets is different. Planets have been divided into two groups and the features of the planets within each group also vary vastly.

Earth is the only planet in our solar system which is known to have life. It is filled with vast oceans and gases such as oxygen and nitrogen that render life. Mars is said to share some similarities with Earth. Evidences of ice have been found on the planet. The planet is extremely cold and thus life there seems impossible. However, it is believed that the planet was once wet and warm and life existed here. Astronomers are studying this planet closely and have found many interesting facts about the same. These planets have different numbers of natural satellites.

Apart from this, there are five dwarf planets in our solar system. These are Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, Eris and Pluto. Earlier there were nine planets in our solar system and Pluto was one among them. However, it has now been termed as a dwarf planet.

The Universe is vast and there is a lot to study and discover. Scientists have studied our solar system deeply for centuries and are now moving beyond to study other solar systems and galaxies. A lot of interesting facts about this enchanting universe are likely to surface in the times to come.

Long Essay on Solar System and Planets (600 words)

Our solar system consists of eight planets that revolve around the Sun, which is central to our solar system. These planets have broadly been classified into two categories – inner planets and outer planets. There are four inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The inner planets are closer to the Sun and smaller in size as compared to the outer planets. These are also referred to as the Terrestrial planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are termed as the outer planets. These are massive in size and are often referred to as Giant planets.

Here is brief information about each of these planets:

The smallest planet in our solar system, Mercury is also the closest to the Sun. Its geological features consist of lobed ridges and impact craters. Being closest to the Sun, Mercury’s temperature sores extremely high during the day time. It can go as high as 450 degree Celsius. Surprisingly, the nights here are freezing cold.

Mercury has a diameter of 4,878 km. It does not have any natural satellite.

Venus is said to be the hottest planet of our solar system. It has a toxic atmosphere that traps heat. It is also the brightest planet and is visible to the naked eye. It has a thick silicate layer around an iron core which is similar to that of Earth. Astronomers have seen traces of internal geological activity on this planet.

Venus has a diameter of 12,104 km. Just like Mars, Venus also does not have any natural satellite.

Earth is the largest inner planet. Two-third of this planet is covered with water. It is the only planet in our solar system where life is known to exist. Earth’s atmosphere, which is rich in nitrogen and oxygen, makes it fit for the survival of various species of flora and fauna. However, human activities are having negative impact on its atmosphere.

Earth has a diameter of 12,760 km. It has one natural satellite, the moon.

Mars, the fourth planet from Sun, is often referred to as the Red Planet. The iron oxide present on this planet gives it a reddish appeal. The planet is cold and has geological features similar to that of Earth. This is the reason why it has captured the interest of astronomers like no other planet. Traces of frozen ice caps have been found on the planet.

Mars has a diameter of 6,787 km and two natural satellites.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It has a strong magnetic field. It largely consists of helium and hydrogen. It has a Great Red Spot and cloud bands. A giant storm is believed to have raged here for hundreds of years.

Jupiter has a diameter of 139,822 km and has as many as 79 natural satellites.

Saturn is known for its ring system. These rings are made of tiny particles of ice and rock. Its atmosphere is quite like that of Jupiter as it is also largely composed of hydrogen and helium.

Saturn has a diameter of 120,500 km. It has 62 natural satellites that are mainly composed of ice.

Uranus, the seventh planet from Sun, is the lightest of all the giant, outer planets. It has a blue tint which is because of the presence of Methane in the atmosphere. Its core is colder than the other giant planets. The planet orbits on its side.

Uranus has a diameter of 51,120 km and 27 natural satellites.

The last planet in our solar system, Neptune is also the coldest of all. It is around the same size as the Uranus but is much more massive and dense. Neptune’s atmosphere is composed of helium, hydrogen, methane and ammonia. It experiences extremely strong winds. It is the only planet in our solar system which is found by mathematical prediction.

Neptune has a diameter of 49,530 km. It has 14 natural satellites.

Scientists and astronomers have been studying our solar system for centuries and the findings are quite interesting. Various planets that form a part of our solar system have their own unique geological features and are different from each other in several ways.

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Essay On Solar System

  • Post category: Essay
  • Reading time: 5 mins read

The sun, all the planets and their satellites that revolve around makes a Solar System. Our Solar System consists of the Sun, eight planets and their natural satellites such as our moon, dwarf planets, asteroids and comets. It is located in an outward spiral of the Milky Way galaxy. Scientists believe that there are stars like Sun with their Solar Systems. Our Solar System is located in the Orion Arm, 26,000 light years away from the center of the Milky Way. The Sun is a star stationed at the centre of our Solar System. Objects revolve around due to its gravitational force. Planets like Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune revolve around the Sun in their respective orbits. The greater the distance of a planet from the Sun, the greater is its period of revolution.

Mercury is the smallest planet of our Solar System. As it is very close to the Sun, it takes 88 days to complete its period of one revolution. It can be seen at sunrise or sunset on the horizon. It does not have any satellite or a moon. However, the planet nearest to the Earth is Venus. It is also called the Morning or Evening Star. It appears very bright early in the morning and in the evening. Even Venus has no moon. As it rotates from East to West, many scientists are eager to know more about Venus.

From all the other planets, only Earth has living conditions. The factors required for life such as the right temperature, air, water, atmosphere, different seasons, etc. are found only on Earth. The forth planet from the Sun is Mars. It has two moons. It is rich in iron that makes it appear red. Thus, it is called the ‘Red planet’.

Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System. It is big enough to hold 1397 Earths within itself. It revolves very fast, completing its one turn in just ten hours. It has 63 satellites but only four can be seen through a telescope. Saturn is the next planet. It has rings around it, which cannot be seen by unaided eyes.

Uranus and Neptune are the outermost planets. Just like Venus, Uranus too revolves from east to west. It has a much colder core. It radiates very little heat into space. Neptune is the fourth-largest planet by diameter and third-largest by mass. It is accompanied in its orbit by several minor planets.

Small leftovers of celestial bodies revolving between the two planets are called asteroids. Even comets are heavenly bodies that revolve around the Sun in oval orbits. They consist a sphere called its head and a long tail. As the comet moves nearer to the Sun, its tail gets longer.

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Life's Little Mysteries

Where does the solar system end?

The location of the solar system's outer boundary is a point of contention among astronomers. There are three possible candidates, which "all have merit." But which one is best?

An artist's impression of the solar system

The solar system is an enormous place. Our cosmic neighborhood includes eight planets, around half a dozen dwarf planets, several hundred moons and millions of asteroids and comets, all spinning around the sun — and in many cases each other —at speeds of thousands of miles per hour, like a giant top.

But where does it end? Well, the answer may depend on whom you ask and how they define the solar system .

There are not one, but three potential boundaries to the solar system, according to NASA : the Kuiper Belt, the ring of rocky bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune ; the heliopause, the edge of the sun's magnetic field ; and the Oort Cloud, a distant reservoir of comets that are barely visible from Earth. 

The arguments for each boundary "all have merit," which makes choosing between them complicated, Dan Reisenfeld , a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, told Live Science in an email. 

But there is one that most astronomers most commonly agree upon.

Related: Have all 8 planets ever aligned?  

Kuiper Belt

A group of asteroids with the sun in the background

The Kuiper Belt stretches between 30 and 50 astronomical units (AU) away from the sun , according to NASA . (One astronomical unit is equal to the distance between Earth and the sun.) 

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This region is filled with asteroids and dwarf planets, such as Pluto , that have been ejected from the inner solar system by one-sided gravitational tugs-of-war with the planets.

Some astronomers argue that the Kuiper Belt should be considered the edge of the solar system because it loosely represents the edge of where the sun's protoplanetary disk — the swirling ring of gas and dust that later became the planets, moons and asteroids — would have been.

"If one narrowly defines the solar system as just the sun and its planetary bodies, then the edge of the Kuiper Belt can be considered to be the edge of the solar system," Reisenfeld said. 

But this definition of the solar system is considered to be far too simple by some astronomers, such as Caltech's Mike Brown . 

"It's not really true," Brown told Live Science in an email. "Things have moved around a lot — mostly outward — since the planets were formed." This means the Kuiper Belt does not contain all of the solar system's "stuff," such as the elusive, hypothetical Planet Nine , which (if it exists) likely lies far beyond the Kuiper Belt .

In October 2023, the discovery of a dozen new objects beyond the Kuiper Belt also hinted that there may be a "second Kuiper Belt" lurking even further out. 

The uncertainty around this region's own outer edge therefore makes it an unreliable boundary for the solar system as a whole, some researchers argue.

A diagram of the heliosphere showing its oblong shape

The heliopause is the outer edge of the sun's magnetic influence, known as the heliosphere. At this point, the stream of charged particles emitted by the sun, known as the solar wind, becomes too weak to repel the oncoming stream of radiation from stars and other cosmic entities in the Milky Way . 

"Because the plasma inside the heliopause is of solar origin, and the plasma outside the heliopause is of interstellar origin, some people consider the heliopause to be the boundary of the solar system," Reisenfeld said. As a result, the space beyond the heliopause is also often referred to as "interstellar space," or the space between stars , he added.

Two spacecraft have traveled beyond the heliopause: Voyager 1 , which made the crossing in 2012, and Voyager 2, which crossed over in 2018. As the Voyager probes crossed the heliopause, they quickly detected changes in the types and levels of magnetism and radiation hitting them, signifying that they had crossed some kind of border, Brown said.

However, despite its name, the heliosphere is not a perfect sphere . Instead, it is more of an oblong blob because most of the interstellar plasma bombarding the solar system hits us from one direction, which creates a bow shock — a rounded shock wave that deflects incoming radiation around the rest of the solar system. The bow shock is located around 120 AU from the sun, and creates a long tail that stretches at least 350 AU from the sun in the opposite direction.

Using the heliopause to delineate the solar system therefore leaves us with a lopsided neighborhood, which goes against some researchers perceptions of planetary systems.

A size comparison of the Oort Cloud compared to the rest of the solar system

The Oort Cloud is the furthest and most expansive potential solar system boundary, extending up to around 100,000 AU from the sun, according to NASA . 

"People who define the solar system as everything that is gravitationally bound to the Sun consider the edge of the Oort cloud to be the edge of the solar system," Reisenfeld said.

For some researchers, this is the clear choice for a solar system boundary because in theory, a planetary system consists of all objects orbiting a star.

"I don't understand how anyone considers anything other than the Oort Cloud to be the edge of the solar system," Sean Raymond , an astronomer at the Bordeaux Astrophysics Laboratory in France, told Live Science in an email. "Any other definition seems ludicrous. It is literally the edge of where something can orbit the Sun."

However, other researchers believe that because the Oort Cloud is located in interstellar space, it lies beyond the solar system even if it is bound to our home star. 

There is also a large amount of uncertainty about where the Oort Cloud actually ends, which some would argue makes it just as unreliable a border as the Kuiper Belt.

Which boundary is best? 

Out of the three possible boundaries, the heliopause is the one that is most often used by researchers, and by NASA, to define the solar system's edge. This is because it is the easiest to pin down and because the magnetic properties on either side of it are significantly different.

"I would argue for the heliopause to be the boundary because it really is a boundary," Reisenfeld said. "Once you've passed it, you know it."

— How many times has Earth orbited the sun?

— How many times has the sun traveled around the Milky Way?

— What's the maximum number of planets that could orbit the sun?

But that doesn't mean that everything beyond the heliopause should be considered an interstellar object, such as the enormous space rock 'Oumuamua , Reisenfeld added. "The Oort Cloud was originally part of the same stuff that the planets were formed from, so it is composed of solar system material, not interstellar material," he said.

But while some researchers are happy to pick a side in this argument, others see no reason why the solar system cannot have multiple boundaries.

"I would say that there is no actual debate," Brown said. "There are just different ways to define it depending on what is important for the question you are trying to answer."

Harry Baker

Harry is a U.K.-based senior staff writer at Live Science. He studied marine biology at the University of Exeter before training to become a journalist. He covers a wide range of topics including space exploration, planetary science, space weather, climate change, animal behavior, evolution and paleontology. His feature on the upcoming solar maximum was shortlisted in the "top scoop" category at the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Awards for Excellence in 2023. 

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  • Beauxdensteiner I'd say that all three together form the boundary of the solar system because when you are out there at that very large edge of the bubble, everything that has definition to the outer edge of the bubble must be part of it. All three are part of that boundary and it is just too big for us to get our tiny human brains wrapped around it. Reply
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New ‘Eclipse Watch’ Tool Shows Eclipses from Space Any Time

Do you wish you could see a total solar eclipse every day? With a new online tool called Eclipse Watch, you can observe the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, in real time with eclipse-like images from space as we count down to the next total solar eclipse on Earth.

A gray image showing the Moon in the center, a black circle around it, and white streams of light flowing out.

The new Helioviewer Eclipse Watch data visualization tool displays images captured by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint NASA-ESA (European Space Agency) mission stationed one million miles from Earth. Each time you refresh the page, you can see the latest image from the spacecraft. These images showcase some of the features of the Sun that you may also be able to see from the ground on Earth when the Moon completely covers the Sun during the total solar eclipse.

A map of the contiguous U.S. shows the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse stretching on a narrow band from Texas to Maine.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. This celestial event reveals the extended atmosphere of the Sun, which is normally obscured from view by bright sunlight. Hot gas streaming from the surface of the Sun into interplanetary space can be observed during this time.

To study the Sun's extended atmosphere when a total solar eclipse isn't happening, scientists can use special telescopes called coronagraphs. These instruments create an artificial eclipse by using a round disk to block out the light from the Sun (the same way the Moon does during an eclipse) and reveal parts of the Sun’s atmosphere that are normally too dim to see.

The Helioviewer Eclipse Watch provides eclipse-like images that are captured over a hundred times each day by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph Experiment (LASCO) instrument on the SOHO spacecraft. LASCO observes the Sun’s corona and can identify clouds of material called coronal mass ejections that erupt from the Sun. These images offer a glimpse of what you could witness during the historic celestial event on April 8. LASCO’s disk obscures a larger area than the Moon will block during the total solar eclipse, as indicated by the black circular area in the Eclipse Watch tool. A picture of the Moon is overlaid on the image for scale. This means that during the total eclipse on Earth you will get to see even more of the Sun’s extended atmosphere than LASCO captures.

SOHO launched in 1995 to study our star, from the Sun's deep core to its outer corona. LASCO is one of 12 instruments on SOHO used to study different solar regions and a constant stream of particles and energy from the Sun called the solar wind. Thousands of comets that pass close to the Sun – called sungrazing comets – have also been discovered in SOHO images.

Countdown to the Eclipse

The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will pass over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The path of totality in the U.S. stretches from Texas to Maine.

A countdown timer displayed on the Eclipse Watch page indicates when the eclipse will begin in North America on April 8.

If you are inside the path of totality, your views of the eclipse may be similar, or even better, than what LASCO captures every day. Remember to use specialized eye protection for solar viewing except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun.

For more information about eclipses, visit go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024 .

Helioviewer

Eclipse Watch is an extension of Helioviewer – a free and open-source visualization tool supported by NASA’s Solar Data Analysis Center. It’s like using your favorite map app for the Sun! Users select spacecraft instruments and create their own movies of solar phenomena. This tool supports exploratory data analysis and enables researchers to discover, pinpoint, and monitor solar events. A downloadable version called JHelioviewer with 3D movie capability is also available.

By Rose Brunning Communications Lead NASA Heliophysics Digital Resource Library (HDRL)

Related Terms

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  • Heliophysics
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  • SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory)
  • Solar Eclipses

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Alma Thomas, The Eclipse, 1970, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Solar Eclipse Resources

A spectacular eclipse will sweep across North America on April 8, 2024! Enjoy these free resources from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific!

A dark sky full of stars expands over a mountainscape still aglow with the setting Sun.

What’s Up: April 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA

Catch Mars and Saturn rising, and Jupiter hangs out with Comet 12P. Plus NASA has you covered for the total eclipse whether you're headed to totality or watching from afar.

Argentine students gather cloud observations and temperature data to upload through the GLOBE Eclipse tool during the eclipse that crossed South America on July 2, 2019.

Citizen Scientists Invited to Collect Data for NASA During Eclipse

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Astrophysics > Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

Title: vulcan: retreading a tired hypothesis with the 2024 total solar eclipse.

Abstract: The number of planets in the solar system over the last three centuries has, perhaps surprisingly, been less of a fixed value than one would think it should be. In this paper, we look at the specific case of Vulcan, which was both a planet before Pluto was a planet and discarded from being a planet before Pluto was downgraded. We examine the historical context that led to its discovery in the 19th century, the decades of observations that were taken of it, and its eventual fall from glory. By applying a more modern understanding of astrophysics, we provide multiple mechanisms that may have changed the orbit of Vulcan sufficiently that it would have been outside the footprint of early 20th century searches for it. Finally, we discuss how the April 8, 2024 eclipse provides a renewed opportunity to rediscover this lost planet after more than a century of having been overlooked.

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Journal club discussion. Winter will present and discuss 3 papers on Solar System SETI. We will begin with a discussion of R. N. Bracewell’s 1960 paper on Solar System probes, along with a classic Solar System SETI paper from R. A. Freitas. We will then discuss a 2024 paper from B. Rogers et al. on Solar System anomaly searches with LSST and the connections of this search to SETI.

To join please click on the Zoom link: https://psu.zoom.us/j/92466964691

Alan Aspuru-Guzik

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NASA Is Recruiting a New Class of Astronauts

Victor Glover, a nine-year veteran of the astronaut corps who will fly around the moon in 2025, said the search for excellence and diversity were not mutually exclusive.

Victor Glover wearing a blue astronaut jumpsuit.

By Kenneth Chang and Emma Goldberg

The reporters interviewed a NASA official and an astronaut in The Times’s newsroom for this article.

Do you dream of leaving the planet?

NASA is looking for its next group of astronauts, and you have until April 2 to make a pitch for yourself .

“Typically, it’s a very popular application,” April Jordan, NASA’s astronaut selection manager, said.

The odds that you will be chosen are slim. The last time NASA put out a call for applications, in 2020, more than 12,000 people applied.

It took the agency a year and a half to go through the applications. NASA selected just 10 of the hopefuls, or 0.083 percent. That makes Harvard’s 3.5 percent acceptance rate among high school applicants appear bountiful.

“So when I say ‘popular,’” Ms. Jordan said, “it’s probably an understatement.”

Ms. Jordan is on a media tour to spread the word that “ the right stuff ” for being an astronaut in 2024 is not the same as what it was in the 1960s, when astronauts were all white men, almost all from the military.

Joining her on that tour, which included a stop at The New York Times, was Victor Glover, a nine-year veteran of the astronaut corps who offered a glimpse into how he made it through the rigorous selection process.

To become a NASA astronaut today, you have to be a U.S. citizen and you must pass the astronaut physical exam.

NASA does set a fairly high bar for education — a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, followed by at least three years of related professional experience.

Beyond that, the agency tries to keep an open mind. (There is no age limit, for example, or a requirement for 20/20 vision.)

“We want the group of astronaut candidates that we select to be reflective of the nation that they’re representing,” Ms. Jordan said.

Take, for example, Mr. Glover.

In some aspects, he fits the historical archetype. Before NASA, he was a Navy aviator and trained as a test pilot.

He is also breaking historical barriers.

In 2020, he became the first Black astronaut to serve as a crew member on the International Space Station after 20 years of astronauts living there. In 2025, he will become the first Black astronaut to fly around the moon for the Artemis II mission .

To stand out in NASA’s competitive application process, Mr. Glover knew he would need more than a strong résumé. He was particularly set on landing a good joke.

The night before one of Mr. Glover’s interviews at NASA for the 2013 class, he was asked to write an essay. The title: “Girls Like Astronauts.”

“They’re sitting in this room all day listening to all these dry answers,” he recalled thinking. “I’m going to try to make them laugh.”

The essay pivoted from a punchline to poignancy, reflecting on the ways he has tried to inspire his four daughters. He also decided to be vulnerable during the interview, sharing a “bone-headed” moment when he risked nearly hitting the water during an air show demonstration.

“You have to be able to share that information with the interview panel when you come in, because you’re inevitably going to fail at something,” Ms. Jordan said. “And so there’s a humbleness that you have to bring in even if you’ve achieved great things.”

As part of the application process, Mr. Glover wrote a limerick that concluded: “This is all dizzying to me, because I gave so much blood and pee.”

Mr. Glover set his sights on going to outer space as a child, when he saw his classmates moved to tears by the Challenger disaster.

His space ambition deepened years later when he heard a speech from Pam Melroy, a former space shuttle commander. Ms. Melroy, now NASA’s deputy administrator, recounted how her crew had scrambled to fix a damaged solar array on the International Space Station.

“I thought, ‘Wow, she just talked about something really technical, really logistically challenging,’” Mr. Glover said. “But the emotion in it was about the people.”

He realized, then, that just as astronauts need technical ability, they also need something that is more difficult to teach: social skills.

“You’re going to live in this tin can with somebody for six months,” he said of a stay on the space station. “We’re almost picking family members.”

Mr. Glover proudly points to the diversity of backgrounds among current astronauts. “If you compare our office to the country’s demographics, we match the country very well,” he said.

Indeed, the diversity within NASA outpaces that of the private sector in some aspects. The percentage of Black astronauts is higher than the percentage of Black people in the broader science and technology work force, Mr. Glover said.

That is the direct result of NASA’s sustained efforts over a couple of decades to recruit astronauts beyond the traditional archetype, he said.

“Our office looks the way it looks because of this intentionality, and thinking about our biases and how it may affect who we hire,” he said. “I think that’s a huge victory.”

But Mr. Glover acknowledged that diversity as a hiring goal was becoming increasingly fraught .

Critics include Elon Musk, the billionaire who runs SpaceX, the rocket company that NASA relies on to transport cargo and astronauts — like Mr. Glover — to the International Space Station. NASA has also hired SpaceX to land astronauts on the moon .

“His perspective on some things is a little disturbing,” Mr. Glover said of Mr. Musk.

SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment by Mr. Musk.

Mr. Musk has repeatedly called for the end of programs that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, or D.E.I. “D.E.I. is just another word for racism,” he posted in January on X, the social media network that he owns.

Mr. Glover said he had just listened to a contentious interview that Don Lemon , a former CNN anchor, recently conducted with Mr. Musk. “My mom sent it to me and she goes, ‘Does he remember you rode in his spaceship?’” he said. “I’m like, ‘Ma, he probably remembers very vividly.’ He’s a great intellect, but he probably just doesn’t care.”

People ask him how he feels about becoming the first Black person to go on a lunar mission next year when Artemis II will swing around the moon without landing.

“Actually, I’m sad,” Mr. Glover said. “It’s 2025, and I’m going to be the first? Come on.”

He recounted the story of Ed Dwight , the only Black Air Force pilot in the 1960s who met the restrictive requirements that NASA had for astronauts then. But Mr. Dwight was never selected.

“Ed Dwight could have done this in the ’60s,” Mr. Glover said. “How much better would our country be if he actually got the chance? Society wasn’t ready. It’s not him. He was ready.”

While Mr. Glover has heard some of the pushback to D.E.I. initiatives, he feels firmly that seeking diversity is not about lowering standards and accepting less qualified candidates. “I think it should just be excellence,” he said. “As long as you don’t equate whiteness or maleness with excellence, then we’re good. We’re speaking the same language.”

Many applicants are drawn by the potential glory of being the first astronauts to walk on Mars, an accomplishment that NASA is aiming for in the 2030s.

But Mr. Glover said they should also contemplate the sacrifices that they and their families might have to make along the way.

“The trip to Mars is six to nine months,” he said. “You’re going to be away from familiar for more than a year, one to three years. Are you really ready for that?”

Kenneth Chang , a science reporter at The Times, covers NASA and the solar system, and research closer to Earth. More about Kenneth Chang

Emma Goldberg is a business reporter covering workplace culture and the ways work is evolving in a time of social and technological change. More about Emma Goldberg

What’s Up in Space and Astronomy

Keep track of things going on in our solar system and all around the universe..

Never miss an eclipse, a meteor shower, a rocket launch or any other 2024 event  that’s out of this world with  our space and astronomy calendar .

A new set of computer simulations, which take into account the effects of stars moving past our solar system, has effectively made it harder to predict Earth’s future and reconstruct its past.

Dante Lauretta, the planetary scientist who led the OSIRIS-REx mission to retrieve a handful of space dust , discusses his next final frontier.

A nova named T Coronae Borealis lit up the night about 80 years ago. Astronomers say it’s expected to put on another show  in the coming months.

Voyager 1, the 46-year-old first craft in interstellar space which flew by Jupiter and Saturn in its youth, may have gone dark .

Is Pluto a planet? And what is a planet, anyway? Test your knowledge here .

April 1, 2024

How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse Online

Will you be outside the path of totality during the 2024 total solar eclipse? What if clouds block your view? Find out how to watch the event online with this collection of livestreams

By Meghan Bartels

Solar eclipse in four stages (digital composite), low angle view

Siegfried Layda/Getty Images

This article is part of a special report on the total solar eclipse that will be visible from parts of the U.S., Mexico and Canada on April 8, 2024.

Maybe you didn’t know that a total solar eclipse would cross North America on April 8. Maybe you won’t be able to travel to an area in the path of totality . Maybe your view will be obscured by clouds.

Never fear: if all else fails, you can watch the rare spectacle online, thanks to a handful of livestreams designed to share the eclipse with viewers around the globe.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing . By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

First up, check out Scientific American ’s own livestream. We’ll be offering a view of the eclipse that you can’t catch from anywhere on the ground, even with a “perfect location” and clear skies: a team of researchers will be using two jets from NASA’s WB-57 High Altitude Research Program that were converted into high-flying telescopes to chase the eclipse for science .

When the team made its first eclipse flight during 2017’s coast-to-coast spectacle , the scientists produced high-resolution images of the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, in a wavelength of light in which it had never been captured before. By flying along the path of totality, the researchers also stretched their view of this total solar eclipse to about seven and a half minutes—despite the fact that no place on Earth experienced totality for longer than two minutes and 42 seconds.

This spring’s eclipse is even more promising because it will last up to four minutes and 28 seconds on the ground. In the jet-based observation effort, the researchers hope to stretch that to eight minutes aloft. And during their flight this eclipse, the planes will carry upgraded instruments. The jets will also be equipped with new experiments, including one used to study material leaving the sun, such as the blobs of plasma and magnetic field dubbed coronal mass ejections and the steady stream of charged particles known as the solar wind.

Our broadcast of views of the eclipse will have plenty of company. Check out these other options for watching the event on April 8—without needing to worry about protecting your eyes with eclipse glasses .

Keep in mind that the partial eclipse will begin over the Pacific Ocean at 12:27 P.M. EDT and will make landfall over Sinaloa, Mexico, about half an hour later. Totality will begin there at 2:07 P.M. EDT and will reach Texas 20 minutes later. It will end over the Canadian island of Newfoundland at 3:46 P.M. EDT. The partial eclipse will also end over Newfoundland at 4:48 P.M. EDT.

NASA is offering a handful of webcasts for the 2024 eclipse , including versions with English- and Spanish-language commentary and telescope feeds from across North America. The agency will also be presenting broadcast of three sounding rockets that will launch from Virginia during the eclipse to study how the atmosphere responds to the phenomenon.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) will also broadcast the eclipse, beginning at 1:55 P.M. EDT on April 8. During the event, NSF researchers will talk about the science of the sun and the agency’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, which is the largest solar telescope on Earth.

Additional webcasts

Time and Date will livestream the total solar eclipse beginning at 12:30 P.M. EDT

Lowell Observatory in Arizona will broadcast the view from Waco, Tex .

The Exploratorium in California will livestream in both English and Spanish, with views from Junction, Tex., and Torreón, Mexico.

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    Introduction. In the recent decades great progress has been achieved in the study of our closest space environment—the solar system. Space exploration jointly with the advanced ground-based astronomical observations dramatically expanded knowledge about our star—the Sun and all eight major planets with their numerous satellites and rings, as well as about countless minor bodies—asteroids ...

  17. Best Solar System Essay for Kids

    Our Solar System Essay. As we have discussed earlier that our solar system consists of the sun and its eight planets, so the name of these planets in the ascending order of distance from the sun are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The planets which are nearer to the sun are comparatively smaller than those ...

  18. Short Essay On Solar System

    The Solar System. Our solar system comprises of a normal star we call the Sun, the planets Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Venus, and Mercury. It incorporates the satellites of the planets; various comets, asteroids, and meteoroids; and the interplanetary medium. The Sun is the wealthiest origin of electromagnetic energy, in ...

  19. Essay about Solar System

    The Solar System : The History Of The Solar System. The solar system was created 4.6 billion years ago by a gravitational collapse. A solar system is a star that has planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids travel around it. The solar system contains eight known planets which are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune.

  20. Solar System and Planets Essay

    Research states that it comprises of 99.86% of the entire mass of our solar system. The Planets. There are eight planets in the solar system. These are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The planets have been divided into two groups - Terrestrial Planets and Giant Planets.

  21. Planet Sizes and Locations in Our Solar System

    Mars, the red planet, is the seventh largest planet in our solar system. Mars is about half the width of Earth, and has an equatorial diameter of about 4,221 miles (6,792 kilometers). Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, orbiting at an average distance of 141.6 million miles (227.9 million kilometers).

  22. Solar System and Planets Essay

    Long Essay on Solar System and Planets (600 words) Introduction. Our solar system consists of eight planets that revolve around the Sun, which is central to our solar system. These planets have broadly been classified into two categories - inner planets and outer planets. There are four inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

  23. Solar System Essay for Children (450 Words)

    The solar system is the gravitational bound system that comprises of sun and the objects that orbits the sun directly and indirectly. Its age is around 4.568 billion years. Its location of the solar system is local interstellar cloud. The solar system is tucked away with the corner of Milky Way at the distance of 30000 light years from the ...

  24. Essay On Solar System

    Essay On Solar System. The sun, all the planets and their satellites that revolve around makes a Solar System. Our Solar System consists of the Sun, eight planets and their natural satellites such as our moon, dwarf planets, asteroids and comets. It is located in an outward spiral of the Milky Way galaxy. Scientists believe that there are stars ...

  25. Where does the solar system end?

    The Oort Cloud (left) is much larger than the inner solar system (right) or the Kuiper Belt (center). (Image credit: Getty Images) The Oort Cloud is the furthest and most expansive potential solar ...

  26. New 'Eclipse Watch' Tool Shows Eclipses from Space Any Time

    The new Helioviewer Eclipse Watch data visualization tool displays images captured by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint NASA-ESA (European Space Agency) mission stationed one million miles from Earth. Each time you refresh the page, you can see the latest image from the spacecraft. These images showcase some of the features of the Sun that you may also be able to see from ...

  27. Vulcan: Retreading a Tired Hypothesis with the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

    The number of planets in the solar system over the last three centuries has, perhaps surprisingly, been less of a fixed value than one would think it should be. In this paper, we look at the specific case of Vulcan, which was both a planet before Pluto was a planet and discarded from being a planet before Pluto was downgraded. We examine the historical context that led to its discovery in the ...

  28. Solar System SETI Journal Club

    Journal club discussion. Winter will present and discuss 3 papers on Solar System SETI. We will begin with a discussion of R. N. Bracewell's 1960 paper on Solar System probes, along with a classic Solar System SETI paper from R. A. Freitas. We will then discuss a 2024 paper from B. Rogers et al. on Solar System anomaly searches with LSST and the connections of this search to SETI.To join ...

  29. NASA Is Recruiting a New Class of Astronauts

    The night before one of Mr. Glover's interviews at NASA for the 2013 class, he was asked to write an essay. The title: "Girls Like Astronauts." ... covers NASA and the solar system, and ...

  30. How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse Online

    Solar system. This article is part of a special report on the total solar eclipse that will be visible from parts of the U.S., Mexico and Canada on April 8, 2024.