Solar systems are simply defined as a star and all the other celestial bodies revolving around it. This is characteristic of our sun, the eight planets surrounding it and the three dwarf planets such as Pluto, Eris, and Ceres. These planets all are pulled gravitational toward the sun, along with their natural satellites (commonly known to us as "moons"). Solar systems also usually include four inner life bearing planets, four outer gas giant planets, an asteriod belt, another belt made of icy objects, and an interstellar medium. This interstellar medium is where the solar winds from the sun are supposed to finally reach and affect nothing that is beyond it. Of course the star (for us, it is the sun) is the center of the solar system, essentially. This means that the pull of gravity is around this star, and it is bascially the glue that keeps the entire thing together.
Solar systems are very similar to galaxies in many respects, except that galaxies are much larger. In addition, galaxies contain many solar systems. Although, there are three different kinds of galaxies. The first galaxy is called an elliptical galaxy. These galaxies have no definite structure, and resemble a smushed up ball. The next kind is called a spiral galaxy, and it looks like it has a central nucleus and pinwheels of stars. The last kind is called an irregular galaxy and has no specific shape or size. They must not have known what to call that last one, so they called it irregular.
It is amazing that galaxies and solar systems have very little in difference, and yet it is a very large one. Their sizes!!! I wonder how many galaxies are out there, I wonder how they actually know that these exist, especially since the Milky way galaxy is so vast. What technology do we have that proves that these are out there? The universe is so large and interesting that it is worth investigating. Is there life out there similar to ours? Perhaps, down the road, we will be surprised by the beings hiding somewhere beyond our reach.
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7 comments:
Meg~
Another awesome post! Loved the facts that you presented. And...also loved your opinions at the end.
--Rachel
Megan,
I love the names of the dwarf planets. Specifically Ceres, for some reason, I really like that name. I liked the description of the materials in solar systems. You brought up a good point; how do they know exactly is out there? How do we know that we are the only lifeforms in the universe?
Billy
Your posting is very good. You explained things very well. The only thing that I would add is maybe examples of stars or planets that you are talking about.
"We" must be very self-centered if we are so set on the fact that we are the only ones in our galaxy, especially when it is so expansive.
tons of info megan! loved it! you really can make it so everyone cand understand what you are saying, nice! :)
SarahAnn
Very interesting ideas megan. I was amazed to find out the differences in size also. I hope one day we can identify and know for sure how many there actually are.
I wonder what is really out there too. I also wonder whats in a WonderBall...but thats neither here nor there. Nice Job.
-Dustin
I found your post to be very intriguing and fascinating. I like how you named the dwarf planets because they aren't acknowledged often enough. I found your comparison and opinon very interesting. The best part of your post was your solar system information! This was a great read as always, Megan.
~Lindsey~
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