Some Interesting Facts About Our Solar System
In this Universe there are millions of galaxies and 'Milky Way' is one of them where our solar system exists. Our solar system is made up of sun, planets, moons and asteroids. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are the eight planets in the solar system, and recently realized by the astronomers that planet Pluto is not present in our solar family.
Our solar system comprises relatively very little part of Milky Way Galaxy and naturally there are millions and millions of other solar systems existing in this Galaxy. Though our solar system is known as a very small part when comparing with the size of our universe and galaxy, it is still beyond our imagination and has many things to learn.
How our Solar System was created by the Super Nature?
It is said that billions and billions of years ago each and every thing in this universe, galaxy and energy of observable Universe had been concentrated at one point of infinite density. After the Big Bang our Universe is expanding till today from that infinite state of density and it is also understood that space also expand itself with galaxies and millions of solar systems.
The Sun And Eight Planets in Our Solar System
Sun
This is the absolute center part of the solar system and it comprises about 99% of total mass of the system. It is about 1.3 million times greater than our earth by volume and has a diameter of 1.39*10^6 km. This is mostly composed of Hydrogen and Helium atoms. The light and heat energy in our sun is produced by the nuclear fusion in which two hydrogen atoms are combining together in extreme temperature and pressure to form one helium atom. The loss of mass in the process is converted to heat and light energy.
The nuclear fusion happens only in the center part of the sun since the process requires very high temperature around 1.5 crore degree Celsius. Besides being the source of light and heat energy, the sun attracts all the planets in the system and makes them revolve on their respective orbits.
Mercury
The Mercury is the smallest and closest planet to the sun in the solar system. It lies at about 5 crore km away from the sun. To complete one revolution around the sun, It takes about 88 days and rotates once for every 176 earth days. The surface temperature varies between −183 °C and 427 °C. Its radius is 2439.7 km and total volume is just 5% of earth's volume. There is no moon for this small planet. The average density is calculated as 5.4 gm/cc. It has a large iron core and mass of 3.3*10^23 kg.
Venus
It is revolving next to Mercury and is hotter than our earth. It's orbit is about 10.8 crore km away from the Sun and to complete one revolution it takes 225 days. Its radius is 6052 km and has 85% of earth's volume. Mean density is 5.204 gm/cc and mass is 4.868*10^24 kg. There is no moon for this planet. We can see this through our naked eyes in east direction on early morning hours
Earth
This is the most beautiful planet of our solar system and home for the millions and millions of living beings. Moderate temperature, availability of air and water support the growth and existence of living beings.
Our earth is about 14 core km away from the sun and its radius is 6400 km. Mean density is 5.5 gm/cc and mass is 5.9*10^24 kg. It takes about 365 days to complete one revolution around sun. Our earth has one beautiful moon. Its large iron core makes it the densest planet in the system. Earth rotates itself once for every 24 hours.
Moon
The Moon is only one natural satellite of our Earth and has one third of its volume. The total mass of moon is 7.347*10^22 kg which is just 1.2 % of the mass of our earth. This is because of its low mean density of 3.34 gm/cc This is revolving around earth once for 30 days in an orbit lying about 3.84 lac km away from the earth. It has radius of 1736 Km.
Mars
This planet is revolving between our earth and Jupiter, it's orbital radius is about 22.5 crore km and it takes 686 days to complete one revolution around the sun . It has a radius of 3,396 km and only 15% of earth's volume. It has a mean density of 3.394 gm/cc with a mass of 6.41*10^23 kg. It is also called as red planet because of reddish appearance due to the presence of Iron-oxide on its surface.
Jupiter
This is the largest planet of the solar system which lies between the Mars and Saturn. It is about 77.8 crore km away from the sun and takes 11.86 years to complete an orbit and rotates once for every 10 hours. It has a great radius of 66,854 km and is about 1,300 times greater than our earth by volume. Its mean density is 1.32 gm/cc but, has a great mass of 1.898*10^27 kg. A 50 Km deep layer composed of mixture of gases such as Hydrogen, Helium, Ammonia, Nitrogen covered the whole planet surface.
There are 63 moons for this planet. Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto are important ones. An interesting feature of this planet is The Great Red Spot that lies at 22 degree to the south of equator. The red spot is so large that it can hold at least 3 earths.
Saturn
This is the second largest planet of the system and lies about 140 crore km away from the Sun. To complete a revolution It takes about 29.5 years and rotates itself for every 10.5 hours. It has a great radius of 60,268 km. The mean density is 0.687 gm/cc and its mass is 5.7 *10^26 kg. It's about 763 times larger than earth by volume.
The rings that appear around 1 lac Km away from the planet is special feature of this planet. It's believed that they might have been formed due to the disintegrated moons crashed by the asteroids or comets. It has 61 moons. Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys and Titan are some of them.
Uranus
This is the third largest and coldest planet of the system lying about 300 crore km away from the sun and completes its orbit for every 84 years and rotates once in 17.5 hours. Its radius is 25,000 km and is about 63 times greater than the earth by volume. Mean density is 1.27 gm/cc and mass is 8.7*10^25 kg. There are 27 moons for this planet. It is said that icy wind reaches the speed of 900 km/hour is blowing over this planet.
Neptune
This is the farthest planet in the solar system and lies about 455 crore Km away from the Sun and takes about 165 years to complete one revolution around the sun and rotates itself once for 16 hours. It is the fourth largest by volume and third largest by mass in the solar system. Its radius is 24,340 km and 58 times greater than earth by volume. Mean density is 1.638 gm/cc and mass is 1.0243'10^26 kg. It has 13 moons. Naiad, Thalassa, Despina and Galatea are some important moons.
