Bodies in the Solar System

The Sun

The Sun is the central body in the Solar System, and is a type of star known as a G-type main-sequence star.
It makes up approximately 99.86% of the Solar System’s total mass.
Its extremely high temperature enables Hydrogen atoms to combine and form Helium – a process called nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fusion in the Sun’s core generates energy that travels outwards and makes the Sun shine.

There are eight recognized planets in the Solar System – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Planets are defined as bodies that orbit the Sun, are spherical, and have cleared their orbit of other debris.
Planets are categorized into two groups: terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars), and gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).

Dwarf planets, like Pluto, Eris and Ceres, are similar to regular planets but have not cleared their orbits of other debris.
They are found in two areas: the Kuiper Belt (beyond Neptune’s orbit) and the Asteroid Belt (between Mars and Jupiter).

Moons are smaller bodies that orbit around planets.
They vary greatly in size, surface conditions, and number depending on the planet they orbit.

Asteroids are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system. They are mostly found in the asteroid belt located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Comets are composed of ice, rock and organic compounds and originate from the outer areas of the Solar System.
Meteoroids are smaller pieces of asteroids or comets on a collision course with Earth. When they enter Earth’s atmosphere, they ignite and become meteors (shooting stars).

The Oort Cloud is a theoretical cloud of predominantly icy planetesimals believed to surround the Sun at a distance of up to two light years.
It is thought to be the home of comets that come to the inner part of the Solar System.

Remember to study detailed characteristics and distinguishing features of each body for a comprehensive understanding of the Solar System.