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Geography FROM 3

Chapter 2 THE EARTH AS A PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

SOLAR SYSTEM

The solar system is made up of the sun and the 8 planets. It is also called a planetary system. These planets include; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

Recent discoveries prove that Pluto is now a dwarf planet. These planets revolve around the sun in a path called Elliptical orbit. The sun is at the center of the solar system. It is made up of burning gases and has a temperature of about 6000°C. Some planets have smaller heavenly bodies that move around them called satellites. The smallest planet is Mercury. It is the hottest and nearest planet to the sun. Mars which is the fourth planet has 2 satellites. Jupiter is the largest planet and has 13 satellites.

The Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only planet where life exists. It has one natural satellite called the moon. The moon takes 29 days to go round the earth. The Earth rotates on its axis and revolves on its orbit. Stars are heavenly bodies that produce their own light. The solar system and a collection of other stars form the galaxy. The galaxy in which our solar system is found is called the Milky Way.

 

par Claude Foumtum