Components of Space

Universe All of space that includes many galaxies

Galaxy A system of stars mixed with gas and dust. We are part of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is a spiral galaxy. The next closest galaxy is called Andromeda. There are approximately 200 billion stars in our galaxy.

MILKY WAY GALAXY

Solar System The solar system includes the sun and all the bodies that orbit around it.

Planet A spherical body that orbits around the sun and has its own gravity

Put the following in order from largest to smallest: Solar System Universe Galaxy Planet Universe Galaxy Solar System Planet

Inner Planets These are known as terrestrial planets because they are dense and rocky Mercury Venus Earth Mars

Asteroid & Asteroid Belt Asteroid – A large rock which is smaller than a planet and orbits the sun Asteroid Belt – asteroids that revolve around the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Outer Planets These are known as the gas giants because they are very large and mostly made of gas Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

Dwarf Planet - Pluto Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet because it is very small

Solar System Diagram

Moon A naturally occurring satellite orbiting around a planet Some planets have more than 1 moon

Star A massive ball of luminous gas that are held together by their own gravity A star creates its own light The life cycle of a star is determined by its mass.

Constellation A group of stars that form a pattern in the sky

Comet An icy body that releases gas or dust and has a long oval orbit

Meteoroids & Meteor & Meteorites Meteor – a meteoroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere and completely burns Meteoroid – a chunk of rock or dust that usually comes from comets or asteroids Meteorite – a small rock that lands on earth from space

Additional Links http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/ceps/etp/etp.htm

Which planets are terrestrial and which planets are gas planets? Ticket Out Which planets are terrestrial and which planets are gas planets?