GETTING STARTED

The Sun and Eight Planets in the Solar System

Humankind has always been curious as to what makes up the universe and
how it was created. Countless theories have been put up to try to answer questions
regarding the nature and mysteries of the cosmos in an attempt to understand how the
universe began. Understanding how the universe began helps in learning about Earth,
its beginning, and its processes.
This chapter provides an overview on the origins of the universe and of the
earth, and relates how the unique characteristics of Earth are important in sustaining
life on the planet.
In this module you will:
 Differentiate Jovian and terrestrial planet
 Elaborate the eight planets and dwarf planets on the solar system.
 Recognize the uniqueness of Earth, being the only planet in the solar system
with properties necessary to support life.
 Enumerate the three criteria of dwarf planet becoming a planet
 Explain the different theories about the solar system structure
 Differentiate the heliocentric and geocentric universe
 Differentiate the different galaxies in the universe.
 Create a model of the solar system in a creative way.

In doing this module, please follow these

reminders…

1. Take the PRETEST before

working or answering the module.
2. Perform and answer the activities
as suggested.
3. Take the Post Test.

1
 Time allotted: 5-10 minutes

Directions: Read each question carefully and encircle the letter of the correct
6. Which of the following sets are called terrestrial planets?
answer.
a. Mercury, Mars, Neptune, Uranus
b. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
1. How many planets are there in the Solar System? c. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Uranus
d. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Neptune
a. 7 c. 9
b. 8 d. 10 7. Which of the following has/have ring around it/them?
a. Jupiter c. Uranus
b. Saturn d. All of the above
2. The following planet is nearest to the sun.
a. Mars c. Venus 8. Of all the planets in the solar system, which is the closest to the Earth in terms
b. Mercury d. Saturn of size and mass?
a. Jupiter c. Mercury
b. Mars d. Venus
3. What makes Earth different to other planet?
9. Which is the correct arrangement of Jovian planets according to their
a. It is the only planet known to have living things on it. decreasing size of diameter?
b. It is the only planet known to have liquid water on its surface a. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
c. It is the only planet known to have air that safe for animals to breath b. Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus
d. All of the above c. Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus
d. Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus

4. The following planet is called “dwarf planet” 10. Which is the farthest planet in the Solar System?
a. Neptune c. Earth
a. Saturn c. Mars b. Jupiter d. Mercury
b. Jupiter d. Pluto

5. Which of the following is the largest planet in the solar system?

a. Mercury c. Jupiter
b. Mars d. Saturn
 The largest, most massive, and most prominent element of the Solar System is, of the
course, the Sun. The Sun makes up 99.8% of the mass of the Solar System. It is literally the
point around which the entire Solar System turns. The Sun is virtually at the center of the
Time allotted:
Solar System; although gravity tugs by the planets may move the center of the Sun, it always
resides deep within the Sun’s core.

COMPONENTS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM The next largest objects in the Solar System are the planets. There are generally
considered to be eight planets in the Solar System. They can be divided into two types: [1]
KEYWORDS:
a. The Jovian planets-
Asteroid- made up of rock  The giant planets of the outer solar system (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and
Comet- made up of ice and volatile compounds Neptune) are often referred to as Jovian planet. This term literally means
Main asteroid belt- contains mainly of asteroids Jupiter-like and a gas giant planet. [2]
Kuiper Belt- contains mainly of comets
b. The terrestrial Planets
 A terrestrial planet, telluric planet or a rocky planet is a planet that is
composed of primarily of Silicate rocks or metals. The terrestrial planets are
the inner planets closest to the Sun, i.e. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. [3]

All eight planets orbit in the Sun in elliptical, roughly circular orbits, in
approximately the same plane. However, no planet orbits in exactly a circular orbit or exactly
in the plane of the Sun’s rotation.
After the eight major planets are the minor planets, asteroids and comets. Asteroids
and comets are smaller objects than planets, but also orbit the Sun. Minor planets may be
found anywhere in the Solar System, in orbits varying from circular to highly elliptical. Most,
however, are found between in three planets. The main asteroid belt is found between the
planets Mars and Jupiter. As the name implies, it is made almost entirely of asteroids. The
Kuiper belt is found outside the orbit of Neptune, and encompasses the are from 30-100
astronomical units from the Sun. The Kuiper Belt contains mainly comets, including very
large comet-like objects called plutinos.

The Solar system may be divided by its components into three major regions: the
inner system, he near outer system, and the far outer system. The near outer system might
wallpaper-space-earth-sun-planets-universe-wallpaper-tyeqc also be referred to as the middle system. The general term outer system refers to both the near
and far outer systems.
The Solar System may be broadly defined as that portion of the universe under the
gravitational influence of the Sun. This includes the Sun itself as well as all planets, moons,
INNER SYSTEM
asteroids, comets, dust, and ice orbiting the Sun.
 It is composed of the Sun, the terrestrial planets and their moons, close-
orbiting asteroids and comets, and the main asteroid belt. Objects in the inner
The solar system is an example of a star system, which is similarly defined as that
system are almost exclusively composed of rock, either no atmosphere or an
portion of the universe under the gravitational influence of one or more co-orbiting stars. The
atmosphere that composes little of the object’s mass. The inner systems
Solar System is a unitary star system, as it has only one star.
boundary is defined by the main asteroid belt, which separates it from the
near outer system
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1. In Roman mythology Mercury is the God of commerce, travel and thievery, the Roman
NEAR OUTER SYSTEM counterpart of the Greek god Hermes, the messenger of the Gods. The planet received
 It is composed of the gas giant planets and their moons and asteroids and this name because it moves across the sky.
comets that orbit between the main asteroid belt and the Kuiper Belt. objects
in the near outer system may have rock, liquid, gas and ice as significant • It has no moon or rings.
components. The near outer system’s boundary is defined by the orbit of • Smallest planet.
Neptune. • Closest to the sun
• Your weight on mercury will be 38% of your weight
FAR OUTER SYSTEM on Earth.
 It is composed of the planet Pluto, the Kuiper belt, the Oort Cloud, and • Rotation: 176 Earth = 1 day
comets that orbit between the belt and the cloud. Objects in the far outer • Revolution : 88 Earth days = 1 year
system may have some rock component but are mainly composed of ices. [1] • Iron Core
• Silicate mantle and crust
• It is similar to the Earth’s moon
• It has no atmosphere
FACTS ABOUT SUN and EIGHT PLANETS
in the SOLAR SYSTEM
2. Venus is named after the Roman Goddess of
love and beauty.

• Does not have any moons or

THE SUN rings.
• Earth’s Twin Sister
• Made up of central iron core,
rocky mantle and silicate crust.
 The sun contains 99.86% of the mass in • Rotation : 243 days = 1 day
the Solar System. • Revolution : 225 days = 1 year
 It has a surface temperature of 5,500 • Rotates opposite direction to
degree celcius most other planets.
 Composed of hydrogen(70%) and • Second brightest object in the
helium(28%) night sky.
 The temperature inside the Sun can reach • Known as the Morning Star and
15 million degrees celcius the Evening Star.
 Light from the sun takes eight minutes to • Hottest planet.
reach the Earth
 Middle-aged.
 Sol is the Latin for Sun
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 • Known as the The Red Planet
3. All of the planets, except Earth were named after Greek and Roman Gods and
Goddesses. The name Earth is an Old English and German name which is simple • Made up of thick layer of oxidized iron dust and rocks of the same color.
means oil.

• Has one moon – Luna.

• The Earth rotation is gradually slowing. https://www.pinterest.com/gillivne/mars/
• The Earth was once believed the center of
the universe.
• 70% water 5. Named after the ancient Roman sky-god, Jupiter, known to the Greeks as Zeus.
• 30% Solid ground
• Mostly made up of 32.1% iron, 30.1% • Has 53 named moons and another 26 awaiting official names.
oxygen, 15.1% silicon and 13.9% • It is very massive.
magnesium. • Made up of hydrogen and helium
• The Earth is geoid not round in shape. • Fastest spinning planet.
• Rotation – 23 hours, 54 minutes and 4 • Rotation – 10 hours
seconds • Revolution – 11.86 Earth years = 1 year
• Revolution – 365.2564 • Great Red Spot – anticyclonic storm
• Jupiter has rings.
• Jupiter has 67 confirmed and named moons.
• Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto
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4. Mars was named

black-background-wallpaper-twfhn after the Roman god of war.

• Approximately the same land mass with Earth https://www.pinterest.com/almabaum/planet-uranus/

• Home of the tallest mountain – Olympus

Mons 6. Saturn was named after the ancient
Roman god of agriculture
• Largest Dust Storm
• Has 82 moons
• Pieces of Mars have fallen to Earth. • Flattest Planet
• Rotation – 10 hours and 34 minutes
• There are signs of liquid water on Mars. • Revolution – 29.4 Earth years = 1 year
• Made up of mostly hydrogen
• One day Mars will have a ring. • Largest moons are Titan and Rhea
• Its atmosphere is mostly made up of
• Two Moons – Phobos and Deimos hydrogen and helium.
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7. Uranus was named after the Greek God of the sky.

• Has 27 moons.
• Rotation – 17 hours and 14 minutes
• Revolution – 84 Earth years = 1 year
• Called as the Ice Giant
• Made up of hydrogen and helium.
• Icy mantle
• The upper atmosphere is made up of water, ammonia and methane ice crystals.
• Coldest planet
• Uranus moons are named after the characters created by William Shakespeare and Alexander
Pope --- Oberon, Titania and Miranda

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8. Neptune was named after the Roman

god of the sea.
• Has 13 moons.
• Revolution – 168.8 Earth years
• Rotation – 18 hours
• Largest moon – Triton
• Great Dark Spot
• Small Dark Spot
• It is made up of hydrogen and
helium