Astronomy

Question 1

What is a planet and what are its characteristics?

Answer 1

A planet is an object in orbit around a star with three important characteristics:

• it has a mass large enough for its own gravity to give it a round shape
• it has no fusion reactions
• it has cleared its orbit of most other objects

Question 2

What is the definition of a planetary satellites? Give two examples.

Answer 2

A body in orbit around a planet, such s moons and man-made satellites.

Question 3

What is the definition of a comet?

Answer 3

Small irregular bodies made up of ice, dust and small pieces of rock which orbit the Sun with highly eccentric elliptical orbits.

Question 4

What are solar systems?

Answer 4

A collection of planets and their moons orbiting a sun

Question 5

What is a galaxy?

Answer 5

A galaxy is a collection of stars, and interstellar dust and gas.