Astronomy

Are you ready to embark upon a journey through space and time? For centuries, scientists have sought to answer questions about our planet and its place in the universe. Astronomy is the study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space. Modern astronomy can be dated back to the time of the ancient Greeks, when scientists began using mathematics to explain what they observed in the night sky.

The Solar System

Our solar system is made up primarily of the sun and eight planets. All of the objects in our solar system revolve around the sun. By mass alone, the sun makes up 99.8 percent of our solar system.

The eight planets of our solar system are categorized in two groups. The inner planets, the four planets closest to the sun, are small and dense and have rocky surfaces, while the outer planets are larger, are farther away from the sun, and do not have solid surfaces. Pluto, once considered one of the outer planets, is now categorized as a dwarf planet.

• Inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
• Outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune