Solar System
The Solar System consists of the Sun and those celestial or heavenly bodies or objects that move around it, and are bound to it by gravity. These objects that circle around the Sun are known as Planets. Satellites, Solar System, And All The Planets You Need To Know, Kepler’s Laws, The First Law Of Kepler’s, Second And Third About The Solar System In Physis.
These planets move around the Sun in elliptical or egg-shaped orbits with the Sun at the center.
Additionally, the planets starting with the one nearest the Sun are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
Smaller Planets
The four smaller inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are called terrestrial planets (because they resemble the earth) and are primarily composed of rock and metal. Moreover, the four outer planets are called the Gas Giants and are substantially more massive than the terrestrial planets.
Largest Planets
The two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Moreover,, the Solar System is also home to smaller objects called Asteroids, Comets, Meteoroids, etc
Sun in The Solar System
The Sun is the principal component of the Solar System. It is a giant star and contains over 99 percent of the Solar System’s known mass and dominates it gravitationally.
The Sun is a big ball of hot glowing gas and glows all the time emitting its own light and heat.
It is the only luminous object in the solar system. It has a diameter that is more than 100 times the diameter of the Earth. It has a large mass (about 332900 Earth mass) and produces temperature and densities in its core great enough to sustain Nuclear fusion, which releases an enormous amount of energy (Solar energy) mostly radiated into space as electromagnetic radiation. Moreover, the Sun is reported to be growing brighter year by year.
Most of the planets in the Solar System possess secondary systems of their own, being orbited by planetary objects called natural satellites or moons.
The Following Should Be Noted About Planets:
- Each planet revolves around the Sun in its own orbit.
- The nearer a planet is to the Sun, the faster its speed of revolution.
- All the planets revolve in one direction.
- The orbit of the planets (except that of Pluto) all lies in the same plane.
Kepler’s Laws
Kepler’s laws of planetary motion describe the orbits of objects about the Sun. The laws can be stated as follows:
Kepler’s Law 1
The planets each travel along an ellipse with the Sun at one focus.
Kepler’s Law 2
The line joining the Sun and the planets sweep out equal areas at equal times.
Kepler’s Law 3
The square of the period of revolution of the planets is proportional to the cubes of their mean distances from the Sun (T² ar³).
Natural Satellites and Artificial Satellites
A satellite is any object that moves around the earth or anybody in space. The two types of satellites are:
- Natural satellites
- Artificial satellites
Natural Satellites
A Natural Satellite or Moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called the primary. Additionally, technically the term natural satellite could refer to a planet orbiting a star, but it is normally synonymous with the moon. Additionally, natural satellites are used to identify non-artificial satellites.
Additionally, the moon we see shining in the night over the earth is an example of a natural satellite, its diameter is about a quarter that of the earth, and is about 348300km away from the earth. Moreover, the moon does not shine with its own light, instead, it reflects the light from the Sun. Additionally, the Earth’s moon is the largest natural satellite in the solar system.
Artificial Satellites
Artificial satellites are manmade or human-built objects orbiting the earth and other planets in the solar system. Such satellites are used to study the earth and other planets, and to help us in communication. They are used by astronomers to observe the distant universe.
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The first artificial satellite Sputnik I was launched in 1957 by the then Soviet Union. Since then many such satellites have been launched into orbit. Some have broken down or expired and they are mere debris or junk satellites hovering in space.
How Are Satellites Launched Into Space?
To launch a satellite into space. Additionally, it is first carried to the required height above the earth using rockets. Then the satellite is launched in a direction parallel to the earth’s surface with a definite velocity. An also, it is launched by giving it an impulse, by firing jets, to deflect it in a direction parallel to the tangent of the orbit. Its velocity is boosted to maintain it in the orbit. Moreover, the satellite with the necessary electronic equipment inside rises vertically when launched.