Let's Explore the Solar System From Right Here On Earth!

A map of the Solar System to help you understand how it is laid out.

mapsharing.org

So What is a Solar System Anyway?

It is the place you and I call home! We all know that we live on the planet Earth, but the Earth is just one of the Eight planets in the solar system.

The center of our Solar System is our sun, and all of the planets travel around it in an elliptical shape. Everything in our solar system is constantly moving, even Earth, as it rotates around the sun.

Besides the planets and their moons, you can also find comets, asteroids and other objects orbiting the sun.

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Can you visualize the way the solar system is laid out? Does the way the planets remind you of anything else in your life? Take a look at the map to understand how each planet orbits the sun.

Vocabulary clues... Are you not sure on some of the words on this page? I am not either, so I looked them up for you. Maybe this will help: Elliptical: Shaped like an egg. Orbit: to move around an object, or make one complete motion around the sun. Solar: relates to the sun.

Can you draw a picture of what you think the solar systems is like? You can even make a model using marbles or balls!

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