The Solar System
- The Sun along with its eight planets, asteroids and comets comprise the ‘Solar System’.
- The planets are divided into inner or terrestrial planets which have higher densities e.g. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars and outer planets which have lower densities e.g. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Sun
- Diameter: 1,392,000 km (864,948 miles)
- The Sun was formed when a swirling cloud of dust and gas contracted, pulling the matter into its centre.
- When the temperature at the centre rose, nuclear fusion (the fusing of hydrogen into helium, creating energy) occurred, releasing a constant stream of heat and light.
- The ‘Photosphere’ is the bright outer layer ....