The Universe

When we look up at the sky, we see many things. During the day, we see the Sun. At night, we see
the Moon and the stars. Besides them, there are also eight planets in the sky which move around
the Sun. All the objects that we see in the sky – the Sun, the Moon, the Stars and the planets are
called heavenly bodies or celestial bodies.

Universe - The universe is a huge open space that holds everything. This space contains various
heavenly bodies like galaxies, stars, planets, moons. It also contains dust, gases and pieces of rock.

Most scientists believe that, the universe was created out of a huge explosion, called the Big Bang.
After the explosion, all the things began to cool down and grow bigger. As a result, all the gases
and dust joined together to form the galaxies, stars, planets and other heavenly bodies in the
universe.

Galaxy - Galaxy is the large group of stars, planets, dust and

gases. There are many galaxies in the universe. The Sun and
Solar System
the Earth are tiny parts of a galaxy known as the Milky
Way.

Solar System - Solar System means ‘The Family of the Sun’. The Sun and its family together form
the Solar System. The family of the Sun consists of the eight planets, their moons and many
other objects, such as the comets and asteroids.

Sun - The Sun is a huge ball made up of hot, burning gases. It is the largest member of our solar
system. It looks much bigger than the other stars in the sky because it is closer to the Earth than
any other star. The Sun lies at the centre of the Solar System.

The Sun is very important to us because it provides heat and light on the Earth. Plants prepare their
food with the help of Sunlight. The light and heat that comes from the sun is also used as Solar
Energy. Solar Energy can be used to cook food, to heat buildings and to make electricity.
Planets - Planets are the heavenly bodies that move around the Sun. The path on which planets
move around the Sun is called an Orbit. They do not have light and heat of their own and get it
from the Sun.

The movement of the planets around the Sun on the orbit is

called
The revolution.
eight planets areFor
– one complete revolution the Earth
takes 365 ¼ days. The movement of the planet on its own
axis is called rotation. For one complete rotation the Earth
takes 24 hours. The Earth is the only planet that has air and
water – the conditions necessary to support life.

The eight planets are -

Sr.No. Planet Name Specification

1 Mercury Nearest /Smallest planet
2 Venus Hottest planet
3 Earth Blue Planet
4 Mars Red Planet
5 Jupiter Largest Planet
6 Saturn Ringed Planet
7 Uranus Twin Planet
8 Neptune Farthest/Coolest Planet

Till 2006, the Solar System was considered to have nine planets. The ninth planet was Pluto.
Scientists announced that it was too small to be called a planet. It is now called a dwarf planet.
Star

Stars are huge balls of hot burning gases which appear in the sky at night. They have their own
heat and light. They are huge in size but appear small because they are very far from us. The Sun is
the closest star to the Earth, hence it appears so big.

The bright star that shines in the night sky is the Pole Star or North Star. It is very useful for the
travellers because it helps them to find the north direction.

Difference between Planets and Stars

Planets Stars
They have no light of their own. They have their own light.
They move around the Sun. They remain in a fixed place.
They are smaller than stars. They are larger than planets.
Constellation

A group of stars that make a pattern in the sky is known as a Constellation. These pattern can look
like different objects or animals. Some of the constellations are Big Dipper, Scorpius, Leo, Great
Bear (known as Saptarishi in India) and Orion.

Big Dipper Scorpius Leo Great Bear Orion.

Satellites

Satellites are small heavenly bodies that move around a planet. They do not have light of their own.
They reflect the light that they get from a star.
The moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth. It is our
nearest neighbour in the sky and reflects the light of the Sun.
We sometimes see it round as a ball, and sometimes we do
not see it at all. This is because as it moves around the Earth,
the light from the Sun lights up different parts of the Moon
on different days. So its shape seems to change. Man Made Satellite

Satellites moving in space can be natural or man-made. Man-made satellites are sent into space to
gather information about planets and for communication.

Asteroid and Comet

Apart from the planets there are certain small objects like Asteroids and Comets that also move
around the Sun. Asteroids are small rocky things that move around the Sun. Most of the Asteroids
in the Solar System are found between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are shiny objects made up of
rocks, ice and frozen gasses.

Asteroid Comet
Keywords

1. Universe - The universe is a huge open space that holds everything.

2. Galaxy - Galaxy is the large group of stars, planets, dust and gases.
3. Planets - Planets are the heavenly bodies that move around the Sun.
4. Orbit - The path on which planets move around the Sun is called an Orbit.
5. Revolution - The movement of the planet around the Sun on the orbit is called revolution.
6. Rotation - The movement of the planet on its own axis is called rotation.
7. Stars - Stars are huge balls of hot burning gases which appear in the sky at night.
8. Constellation - A group of stars that make a pattern in the sky is known as a Constellation.
9. Satellites - Satellites are small heavenly bodies that move around a planet.
10. Asteroids - Asteroids are small rocky things that move around the Sun.
11.Comets - Comets are shiny objects made up of rocks, ice and frozen gasses.