- Elements that make up our solar system
- Sun
- Terrestrial planets
- Gaseous planets
- Tiny planets
- Satellites
- Minor bodies
- References
The elements of the solar system are mainly celestial bodies that revolve in orbits around a star; Sun.
The solar system in which planet Earth is located consists of the Sun, planets (terrestrial and gaseous), dwarf planets, satellites, and various smaller astronomical objects such as comets.
Although it is normal for the elements of the solar system to include stars, the truth is that there is only one and it is the Sun.
The traditional stars that people commonly refer to and that can only be observed at night are located outside the solar system several light years away.
Elements that make up our solar system
The solar system is estimated to have formed about 4.6 billion years ago. It is located in the Milky Way galaxy and, ignoring the sun, the closest known star is Proxima Centauri, which is 4.2 light years from the sun.
Sun
It is the central star of the solar system, orbited by all other celestial bodies and astronomical objects.
It represents 99.75% of the total mass of the solar system and is vital for life on planet Earth. Its formation is estimated 5 billion years ago.
It is a key element in practically all the processes of nature and for a large number of other aspects, such as the measurement of time. The duration of the orbital cycle of a planet around the Sun is what is known as the year.
Terrestrial planets
The 4 planets closest to the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, are normally known as terrestrial planets due to their high silicate composition and rocky nature. They also have a ferrous core that is in a liquid state.
They are significantly smaller in size than the 4 remaining planets and between all they add up to only 3 satellites (one from Earth and 2 from Mars).
Gaseous planets
The remaining planets of the solar system are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, called gaseous planets because they have a mass composed almost entirely of gases and fluids, in addition to not having a palpable crust.
They have a volume significantly greater than that of the 4 terrestrial planets, which is why they are also called giant planets.
Tiny planets
Dwarf planets are celestial bodies much smaller than a normal planet and gravitationally dependent, since they share their orbital space with other bodies. Despite this, they are not considered satellites.
In the solar system there are 5 dwarf planets; Ceres, Pluto (previously considered a conventional planet), Haumea, Makemake, and Eris.
Satellites
They are celestial bodies that orbit around a planet (generally larger) that in turn orbits a parent star.
There are 168 satellites in the solar system, the largest being that of Earth, called the Moon. By default, any other natural satellite is usually called Moon.
Minor bodies
Asteroids, comets and meteorites are some other astronomical objects that abound in the solar system.
Asteroids and meteorites are made of rocky material and differ in size (objects greater than 50 meters in diameter are considered asteroids), comets are made of ice and dust.
References
- Graciela Ortega (July 30, 2013). The sun and components of the solar system. Retrieved on November 30, 2017, from ABC.
- Natural satellites (May 20, 2015). Retrieved on November 30, 2017, from Science Learn.
- Dwarf Planets (nd). Retrieved on November 30, 2017, from GeoEnciclopedia.
- Nancy Atkinson (December 23, 2015). Comet, Asteroid And Meteor. Retrieved on November 30, 2017, from Universe Today.
- Small Solar-System Bodies (2015). Retrieved on November 30, 2017, from Nine Planets.
- Celestial Objects (2016). Retrieved on November 30, 2017, from Seasky.