Dr.

Gulnaz El-Fahaam The Solar System

The Solar System

• The Earth is just one of the eight planets orbiting the

Sun, which is a star.
• The orbits all lie in the same plane, and the planets all
go round in the same direction.
• Strong gravitational forces make sure planets do not
spin off into space.

1
Dr. Gulnaz El-Fahaam The Solar System

The Sun

• The Sun is the source

of light & heat we
receive on our planet.

• The Sun is shining

because it is a star.

• All stars give out light.

• The planets do not give out light.

• Planets “reflect” light from the Sun.

2
Dr. Gulnaz El-Fahaam The Solar System

The Moon
• The Moon is the Earth’s natural satellite.

• It is much smaller than the Earth.

• It does not give out light, it reflects light from the Sun.

3
Dr. Gulnaz El-Fahaam The Solar System

The Earth:

• Earth is the third planet away from the Sun.

• It has a layer of gases surrounding it, including oxygen.
• It is mainly covered with water.
• The presence of oxygen gas & plentiful of water made it
possible for life to grow on planet Earth.

4
Dr. Gulnaz El-Fahaam The Solar System

Movement in space:
1. Planets’ movement around the Sun

• The Sun is at the centre of our solar system. It does not

move.
• The Earth & all other planets revolve around the Sun.
• It takes the Earth 1 year or 365.25 days to make one
full orbit around the Sun.
• The ‘path’ that the Earth, or any other planet, takes
around the Sun is called an ‘orbit”.
• Orbits are ‘oval’ in shape.

5
Dr. Gulnaz El-Fahaam The Solar System

2. Moons’ movement around the planets

• The Moon also orbits the Earth in an oval path.

• It moves more quickly than the Earth does.
• It takes the moon 28 days to make one full orbit around
the Earth.
• Other planets in the Solar system have their own
moons as well.