presentation of solar system

Solar System Exploration

Join us as we explore our planetary neighborhood: The Sun, planets, moons, and millions of asteroids and comets.

10 THINGS about our solar system

1. Many Worlds

Our solar system has eight planets, and five dwarf planets.

2. Small Worlds, Too

More than 1.3 million asteroids, and about 3,900 comets are in our solar system.

3. Lots of Moons

Our solar system has more than 200 moons.

4. Meet Me in the Milky Way

Our solar system is in one of the Milky Way galaxy’s four spiral arms.

5. A Long Way Around

Our solar system takes about 230 million years to orbit the galactic center.

6. Spiraling Through Space

The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.

7. Room to Breathe

Our solar system has many worlds with many types of atmospheres.

8. Ring Worlds

The four giant planets – and at least one asteroid – have rings.

9. Getting Out There

More than 300 robotic spacecraft have left Earth's orbit, and 24 U.S. astronauts have traveled to the Moon.

10. Life as We Know It

So far, Earth is the only place we've found life in our solar system.

Solar System Overview

The solar system has one star, eight planets, five dwarf planets, at least 290 moons, more than 1.3 million asteroids, and about 3,900 comets. It is located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy called the Orion Arm, or Orion Spur. Our solar system orbits the center of the galaxy at about 515,000 mph (828,000 kph). It takes about 230 million years to complete one orbit around the galactic center.

We call it the solar system because it is made up of our star, the Sun, and everything bound to it by gravity – the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune; dwarf planets Pluto, Ceres, Makemake, Haumea, and Eris – along with hundreds of moons; and millions of asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.

The Latest: Building Europa Clipper

Solar System Facts

Planet Sizes and Locations

Temperatures Across Our Solar System

Orbits and Kepler's Laws

All About Asteroid Apophis

When is the next full moon.

Our detailed daily guide to the night sky includes full Moon lore, meteor showers, asteroid flybys, and more.

NASA's Eyes

Experience Earth, our solar system, nearby asteroids, the universe, and the spacecraft exploring them with immersive real-time 3D web-based apps. Start exploring your solar system now!

Latest News

Hubble Views Cosmic Dust Lanes

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Hubble Views the Dawn of a Sun-like Star 

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Hubble Glimpses a Star-Forming Factory

NASA’s Webb Hints at Possible Atmosphere Surrounding Rocky Exoplanet

NASA, JAXA XRISM Spots Iron Fingerprints in Nearby Active Galaxy

Discover More Topics From NASA

Kuiper Belt

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Outreach Resources

Explorers' Guide to the Solar System [Presentation - Exploring the Solar System]

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Activity Key

Related Resources

Pocket Solar System [Activity - Exploring the Solar System] Worlds of the Solar System: Make a Scale Model [Activity & Handout - Exploring the Solar System] Star Maps Collection: Planets, Supernovas, and Black Holes Scale of the Solar System [Online Resource - Exploring the Solar System] Our Star: The Sun [Banner - Exploring the Solar System]

Science 101: The Solar System

How many planets are in the solar system? How did it form in the Milky Way galaxy? Learn facts about the solar system's genesis, plus its planets, moons, and asteroids.

Earth Science, Astronomy

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Our Solar System

How the hunt for a 'missing planet' revealed asteroids in our solar system

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Solar System Size and Distance

How big are the planets and how far away are they compared to each other? See how the sizes of planets and the distances between them compare. And find out why it's so hard to create a scale model of the solar system that accurately represents both size and distance on a single screen or the page of a book.

Watch en Español : Seleccione subtítulos en Español bajo el ícono de configuración.

Video Transcript

Earth is a big place.

If you could drive around the entire planet, it would take more than sixteen days of non-stop driving at highway speeds.

But, compared to some of the planets in our solar system, it’s pretty small.

We often see planets displayed as similar in size, like this, to make details on smaller planets easier to see.

In reality, the size of planets compared to each other looks more like this.

Even though this shows the sizes of planets accurately, they aren’t that close together.

Because of the great distances between planets, and the planets relatively small sizes compared to those distances, it’s practically impossible to create a visual representation on a screen or the page of a book that realistically represents the sizes of the planets and the distance between them.

As a result, the best we can usually do is show the accurate sizes of planets or the accurate distances between the planets.

Remember, they’re not actually lined up like this.

In space, the planets’ positions are constantly changing as they revolve around the Sun.

Explore More

• Take a tour of the solar system with NASA Eyes!

How Did the Solar System Form?

Click here to download this video (1280x720, 14 MB, video/mp4).

Download a poster of this animation!

8.5 x 11 inches, 8.5 x 13 inches, 11 x 17 inches, click here to read a transcript of this story.

The solar system is a pretty busy place. It’s got all kinds of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets zipping around our Sun.

But how did this busy stellar neighborhood come to be?

Our story starts about 4.6 billion years ago, with a wispy cloud of stellar dust.

This cloud was part of a bigger cloud called a nebula.

At some point, the cloud collapsed—possibly because the shockwave of a nearby exploding star caused it to compress.

When it collapsed, it fell in on itself, creating a disk of material surrounding it.

Finally the pressure caused by the material was so great that hydrogen atoms began to fuse into helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. Our Sun was born!

Even though the Sun gobbled up more than 99% of all the stuff in this disk, there was still some material left over.

Bits of this material clumped together because of gravity. Big objects collided with bigger objects, forming still bigger objects. Finally some of these objects became big enough to be spheres—these spheres became planets and dwarf planets.

Rocky planets, like Earth, formed near the Sun, because icy and gaseous material couldn’t survive close to all that heat.

Gas and icy stuff collected further away, creating the gas and ice giants.

And like that, the solar system as we know it today was formed.

There are still leftover remains of the early days though.

Asteroids in the asteroid belt are the bits and pieces of the early solar system that could never quite form a planet.

Way off in the outer reaches of the solar system are comets. These icy bits haven’t changed much at all since the solar systems formation.

In fact, it is the study of asteroids and comets that allows scientists to piece together this whole long story.

Quick and fun movies that answer big science questions!

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Solar System Ppt

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• 1. Our Solar System Neptune Uranus Mercury Venus Saturn Earth Jupiter Mars
• 2. Mercury  Closest to the sun  Smallest planet  Rotates once every 59 earth days.  One day on Mercury lasts 176 Earth days.  Very dry, hot, and almost airless Image courtesy of http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~idh/apod/ap011124.html
• 3. Venus Second closest planet to the sun  Brightest celestial body besides the moon and sun.  Cannot be seen in the middle of the night  Can be observed in the east at sunrise and the west at sunset Image courtesy of www. zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk
• 4. Earth 3rd from the sun  5th largest planet in the solar system  More than 4.5 billion years old Has one natural satellite we call the moon.  Oceans cover 70% of Earth’s surface Image courtesy of www.filer.case.edu
• 5. Mars Fourth from the sun Only planet whose surface can be seen in detail from the Earth Reddish in color, the atmosphere of Mars is made of carbon dioxide Image courtesy of http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/astro/mars.htm
• 6. Jupiter The Fifth planet from the sun Largest planet in the solar system Has at least 39 months Image courtesy of http://www.heavens-above.com/jupiter.asp?lat=0&lng=0&loc=B&alt=0&tz=CET
• 7. Saturn Sixth planet from the sun Has at least 31 moons The surface on Saturn consists of liquid and gas Image courtesy of http://www.heavens-above.com/saturn.asp?lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=CET
• 8. Uranus Seventh planet from the sun 1st planet discovered with a telescope Atmosphere is a mixture of Hydrogen, Helium, and methane Does not have a solid surface Image courtesy of http://www.astro.keele.ac.uk/~rdj/planets/uranus.html
• 9. Neptune 8th and farthest planet from the sun The atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium Has 8 known moons Image courtesy of http://worldalmanacforkids.com
• 10. Moon Bigger than Pluto Only object in the Solar System visited by humans. A lunar month is 29.35 days, 1 new moon to the next. The moon’s gravitational pull on Earth is the main cause of the ocean’s tide.
• 11. Sun Located 93,000,000 miles from Earth Closest star to Earth At least 4.5 billion years old Has a surface temperature of 10,000 degrees and a center temperature of 27,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 12. Asteroids The Asteroid Belt is the space between Mars and Jupiter It contains irregularly shaped chunks of debris called asteroids Asteroids made of rock and metal. Mostly nickel and iron
• 13. Our Solar System The Solar System is the sun together with the eight planets and all other celestial bodies that orbit the sun. Everything in the Solar System orbits or revolves around the Sun in a counter-clockwise direction. The Solar System is estimated to have formed between 4.53 and 4.58 billion years ago. The Sun contains around 98% of all the material in the Solar System Remembering the order of the planets in our Solar System: My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos E E A A U A R E R N R R P T A P C U T S I U N T U S H T R U U R E N S N Y R E
• 14. CHECK YOUR LEARNING! See how many questions you can answer independently. Click the answer you think is correct. If you’re stumped, use the buttons on the right to revisit the pages. This planet is 4th from the sun, reddish in color, with a carbon Dioxide atmosphere . Mercury Jupiter Mars Bigger than Pluto, the only object in the Solar System visited by humans. Mars Moon Mercury Ask me some more!!!
• 15. CHECK YOUR LEARNING! See how many questions you can answer independently. Click the answer you think is correct. If you’re stumped, use the buttons on the right to revisit the pages. Though this planet is 7th from the sun, it was the 1st planet discovered with a telescope. Not having a solid surface, it’s atmosphere is a mixture of Hydrogen, Helium, and Methane. Neptune Pluto Uranus This planet has 8 moons and is furthest away from the sun. It’s atmosphere is mostly Hydrogen and Helium. Neptune Uranus Pluto Ask me some more!!!
• 16. CHECK YOUR LEARNING! See how many questions you can answer independently. Click the answer you think is correct. If you’re stumped, use the buttons on the right to revisit the pages. This planet is 6th from the sun with at least 31 moons. The surface of this planet consists of liquid and gas. Neptune Saturn Venus The 5th largest planet in our solar system is 3rd from the sun. It’s more than 4.5 billion years old. It has one natural satellite and oceans cover 70% of it’s surface . Venus Mars Earth Ask me some more!!!
• 17. CHECK YOUR LEARNING! See how many questions you can answer independently. Click the answer you think is correct. If you’re stumped, use the buttons on the right to revisit the pages. Select the answer that shows the order of the planets, beginning with the Planet closest to the sun and ending with the planet farthest from the sun. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Mercury, Earth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune This planet is the second closest planet to the sun. From Earth, it is the brightest celestial body besides the moon and sun. It cannot be seen in the middle of the night; however, it can be observed in the east at sunrise and the west at sunset Mercury Venus Mars Ask me some more!!!
• 18. CHECK YOUR LEARNING! See how many questions you can answer independently. Click the answer you think is correct. If you’re stumped, use the buttons on the right to revisit the pages. The Fifth planet from the sun. This planet, which is the largest in the solar system, has at least 39 months. Jupiter Saturn Mars The smallest planet in the solar system is also the closest to the sun. The planet rotates once every 59 earth days. This planet is very dry, hot, and almost airless. Venus Mercury Mars Ask me some more!!!
• 19. Congratulations! Use the below links to take your learning further. (Clicking on the links will open a new browser window.) Games Play the Solar System Switch-a-roo Create your own Solar System Solar System Memory Game Activities and Projects EXIT Make a Star - Finder Build a Moon Habitat Build a Bubble-Powered Rocket
• 20. Mercury  Closest to the sun  Smallest planet  Rotates once every 59 earth days.  One day on Mercury lasts 176 Earth days.  Very dry, hot, and almost airless Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~idh/apod/ap011124.html
• 21. Venus Second closest planet to the sun  Brightest celestial body besides the moon and sun.  Cannot be seen in the middle of the night  Can be observed in the east at sunrise and the west at sunset Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of www. zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk
• 22. Earth 3rd from the sun  5th largest planet in the solar system  More than 4.5 billion years old Has one natural satellite we call the moon.  Oceans cover 70% of Earth’s surface Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of www.filer.case.edu
• 23. Mars Fourth from the sun Only planet whose surface can be seen in detail from the Earth Reddish in color, the atmosphere of Mars is made of carbon dioxide Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/astro/mars.htm
• 24. Jupiter The Fifth planet from the sun Largest planet in the solar system Has at least 39 months Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of http://www.heavens-above.com/jupiter.asp?lat=0&lng=0&loc=B&alt=0&tz=CET
• 25. Saturn Sixth planet from the sun Has at least 31 moons The surface on Saturn consists of liquid and gas Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of http://www.heavens-above.com/saturn.asp?lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=CET
• 26. Uranus Seventh planet from the sun 1st planet discovered with a telescope Atmosphere is a mixture of Hydrogen, Helium, and methane Does not have a solid surface Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of http://www.astro.keele.ac.uk/~rdj/planets/uranus.html
• 27. Neptune 8th and farthest planet from the sun The atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium Has 8 known moons Go back where I came from! Image courtesy of http://worldalmanacforkids.com
• 28. Moon Bigger than Pluto Only object in the Solar System visited by humans. A lunar month is 29.35 days, 1 new moon to the next. The moon’s gravitational pull on Earth is the main cause of the ocean’s tide. Go back where I came from!

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Minimal Solar System Lesson Slides

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Minimal Solar System Lesson Presentation

Free google slides theme, powerpoint template, and canva presentation template.

Discover the mysteries of space with our dark-themed Powerpoint and Google Slides templates, ideal for educators. This minimalistic design, adorned with illustrations of planets, creates an immersive learning environment. Whether it’s for a classroom or online learning, this template is perfect for lessons on our solar system, space exploration, and astronomy. Use our templates to unlock your students’ curiosity and inspire their learning journey into the cosmos. Explore our Space Exploration Powerpoint Template today and elevate your teaching experience.

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Astronomy GCSE Chapter 11 - Exploring The Solar System

Subject: Physics

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

13 May 2024

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A PowerPoint presentation for Exploring The Solar System is provided for Paper 2 in the Edexcel Astronomy GCSE (1AS0/01). This presentation is designed to be concise and direct, resembling more of a lecture than a traditional lesson . As such, no additional activities are included.

This PowerPoint is Ideal if Astronomy GCSE is taught as a lunchtime or aftershcool club rather than a timetabled lesson.

You can view the first PowerPoint (Chapter 9 - Exploring The Moon) here for FREE: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12999152

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Astronomy GCSE Paper 2 Complete PowerPoints - Topics 9 - 16

A collection of 8 PowerPoint presentations for Paper 2 in the Edexcel Astronomy GCSE (1AS0/02). These presentations are designed to be concise and direct, **resembling more of a lecture than a traditional lesson**. As such, no additional activities are included. Some PowerPoints may be completed in a single lesson, while others may require several. These PowerPoints are Ideal if Astronomy GCSE is taught as a lunchtime or aftershcool club rather than a timetabled lesson. The following PowerPoints are included: 9. Exploring The Moon 10. Solar Astronomy 11. Exploring The Solar System 12. Formation of Planetary Systems 13. Exploring Starlight 14. Stellar Evolution 15. Our Place in The Galaxy 16. Cosmology You can view the first PowerPoint here for FREE: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12999152

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