Introduction:
The Solar System is a very common and important topic in General Science for exams like SSC, UPSC, and Railway. Whether you're preparing for a CGL Tier 1 exam or a UPSC Prelims test, knowing the basic structure, planets, and key facts about our Solar System is essential. The Solar System includes the Sun, eight major planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, and more. In this blog, we will explore each part of the Solar System in simple language with examples, and help you memorize facts that are often asked in MCQs. Understanding this topic clearly will not only improve your general awareness but also increase your score in the section. Let's get started!
🔠What is the Solar System?
The Solar System is a group of celestial objects that revolve around the Sun due to its gravitational force. It consists of:
1. 1 Sun (star)
2. 8 Planets (Mercury to Neptune)
3. Dwarf Planets (like Pluto)
4. Asteroids, Meteoroids, and Comets
5. Natural Satellites (like the Moo)
EExam
Tip: 1. Founder
of Solar System = Nicolas Coppernicus.
2. The Average length of
a solar cycle is 11 years (Called as Sunspot cycle).
🌀 Structure of the Solar System:
The Solar System is structured in a way where everything orbits the Sun in elliptical paths. It can be divided into:
1.
Inner Solar
System
Contains: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
These are rocky planets or
terrestrial planets.
2.
Asteroid Belt
Located between Mars and Jupiter, full of small rocky bodies.
3.
Outer Solar
System
Contains: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
These are gas giants or ice giants.
The Sun – Our Central Star:
1. The Sun
is the centre of the Solar System.
2. It is a medium-sized yellow star made up of hot gases (mostly Hydrogen and Helium).
3. The Sun provides energy and heat to the planets.
4. It contains 99.8% of the Solar System’s total mass.
Exam
Tip: 1.
Nuclear Fusion process takes place in Sun.
2. Time to reach sun
rays on Earth: 8 Min 20 seconds.
3. Layers of Sun: Core (Internal),
Chromosphere (Full solar eclipse), Corona (Outermost layer).
Detailed
explanation of each planet in
the Solar System:
1. Mercury–
|
Type: |
Terrestrial (rocky) |
|
Position: |
1st from the Sun |
|
Surface: |
Full of craters, looks like the Moon. |
|
Atmosphere: |
Almost none; can't retain heat. |
|
Temperature: |
Daytime ~430°C, Night ~–180°C |
|
Important Points: |
Smallest Planet |
|
Rotation: 58 Days |
|
|
Revolution: 88 Days |
|
|
Satellite |
0 |
Example: Imagine standing in a desert during noon, and then in a freezer at night — that’s Mercury’s extreme temperature difference.
2. Venus–
|
Type: |
Terrestrial (rocky) |
|
Position: |
2nd from the Sun |
|
Surface: |
Volcanic, full of thick clouds of CO₂ |
|
Atmosphere: |
Dense with carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds. |
|
Temperature: |
~470°C (hotter than Mercury!) |
|
Important Points: |
Made up of white & yellow of Suplhuric acid. |
|
Closest to Earth, Brightest planet |
|
|
Another name is Lucifer |
|
|
Sister of Earth |
|
|
Also called Morning & Evening Star |
|
|
Rotation: 243 Days |
|
|
Revolution: 225 Days |
|
|
Satellite |
0 |
Example: Think of Venus like a pressure cooker – extremely hot and cloudy.
3. Earth–
|
Type: |
Terrestrial (rocky) |
|
Position: |
3rd from the Sun |
|
Surface: |
71% covered in water, has life-supporting atmosphere |
|
Atmosphere: |
Nitrogen and Oxygen-rich. |
|
Temperature: |
Balanced for life (average ~15°C) |
|
Important Points: |
Blue Planet |
|
Shape is Geoid |
|
|
5th number is shape |
|
|
Rotation: 24 Days |
|
|
Revolution: 365 Days 5 Hour 48 Minutes |
|
|
Satellite |
Moon (also called Luna) |
Fact: Earth’s axis tilt of 23.5°
4. Mars-
|
Type: |
Terrestrial (rocky) |
|
Position: |
4th from the Sun |
|
Surface: |
Reddish due to iron oxide (rust) |
|
Atmosphere: |
Thin, mostly CO₂ |
|
Temperature: |
Cold, ~–60°C average |
|
Important Points: |
Red Planet due to Iron Oxide |
|
Biggest Mountain of Solar System: Niks Olympia Mountain |
|
|
Tallest Volcano of Solar System: Olympus Mons |
|
|
Rotation: 24 Hrs |
|
|
Revolution: 687 Days |
|
|
Satellite |
Phobos and Deimos |
5. Jupiter-
|
Type: |
Gas Giant |
|
Position: |
5th from the Sun |
|
Surface: |
No solid surface; made of hydrogen and helium |
|
Atmosphere: |
Stormy, with huge clouds and fast winds |
|
Temperature: |
~–145°C |
|
Important Points: |
Discovered by Gallieli in 1610 |
|
Biggest Planet of Solar System |
|
|
Yellow Planet |
|
|
Rotation: 10 Hrs |
|
|
Revolution: 11.9 Years |
|
|
Satellite |
95+ (Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system), Europa, Callisto. |
Example: If Earth were the size of a coin, Jupiter would be a football. It’s massive!
6. Saturn –
|
Type: |
Gas Giant |
|
Position: |
6th from the Sun |
|
Surface: |
Gaseous, made of hydrogen and helium |
|
Ring: |
Most prominent and visible ring system |
|
Temperature: |
~–178°C |
|
Important Points: |
Rotation: 10.3 Hrs |
|
Revolution: 29.5 Years |
|
|
Satellite |
145+ (including Titan, which has a thick atmosphere) |
7. Uranus –
|
Type: |
Ice Giant |
|
Position: |
7th from the Sun |
|
Surface: |
Ice and gas (water, ammonia, methane) |
|
Colour: |
Pale blue due to methane gas |
|
Temperature: |
~–224°C |
|
Important Points: |
Discovered by William Hershell |
|
Green Planet of Solar System |
|
|
Methane Present |
|
|
Rotation: 17.2 Hrs |
|
|
Revolution: 84 Years |
|
|
Satellite |
27+ |
8. Neptune –
|
Type: |
Ice Giant |
|
Position: |
8th from the Sun |
|
Atmosphere: |
Strongest winds in the Solar System (up to 2,100 km/hr) |
|
Colour: |
Deep blue due to methane |
|
Temperature: |
~–225°C |
|
Important Points: |
Discovered by Johan Gotfried in 1846 |
|
Coldest Planet of Solar System |
|
|
Rotation: 17 Hrs |
|
|
Revolution: 165 Years |
|
|
Satellite |
14 (Triton is the largest) |
Dwarf Planets, Asteroids, and Comets
- Dwarf Planets: Like Pluto, they are smaller and don’t clear their orbit.
- Asteroids: Mostly found in the asteroid belt. Example: Ceres.
- Comets: Made of ice and dust, they have bright tails when near the Sun.
Example: Halley’s Comet is seen from Earth every 76 years.
✅ Conclusion
The Solar System is not just about remembering names — it's about understanding the amazing system in which we live. For exams like SSC, UPSC, and Railways, this topic is a favorite among question setters. Use this guide to strengthen your basic science concepts. Revise this summary before your exam day for a quick refresh.
Citizenship in India – Meaning, Types &
Provisions Explained (Article :5 – 11)
❓ Quiz Time: Test Your Knowledge
Q1. Which planet has the moon named
Ganymede?
a) Saturn
b) Earth
c) Jupiter
d) Uranus
✅ Answer:
c) Jupiter
Q2. Which planet has no moons?
a) Venus
b) Mars
c) Neptune
d) Earth
✅ Answer:
a) Venus
Q3. What is the name of Earth’s only
natural satellite?
a) Luna
b) Triton
c) Titania
d) Deimos
✅ Answer:
a) Luna
Q4. Which moon is known for its
cryovolcanoes?
a) Titan
b) Triton
c) Io
d) Phobos
✅ Answer:
b) Triton
Q5. Saturn’s largest moon is:
a) Titan
b) Europa
c) Rhea
d) Callisto
✅ Answer:
a) Titan
Q6. Which planet's moons are named
after Shakespeare characters?
a) Jupiter
b) Mars
c) Uranus
d) Neptune
✅ Answer:
c) Uranus
Q7. Which planet has the most moons (as
of 2025)?
a) Jupiter
b) Saturn
c) Neptune
d) Uranus
✅ Answer:
b) Saturn
Q8. What are the names of Mars’s two
moons?
a) Io and Europa
b) Phobos and Deimos
c) Titan and Triton
d) Ganymede and Callisto
✅ Answer:
b) Phobos and Deimos
Q9. Which moon is bigger than the
planet Mercury?
a) Titan
b) Europa
c) Ganymede
d) Oberon
✅ Answer:
c) Ganymede
Q10. Which moon has volcanoes that erupt
lava?
a) Io
b) Ariel
c) Deimos
d) Tethys
✅ Answer:
a) Io
Attempt MCQ Quiz:
|
Attempt Quiz 1 |
|
|
Attempt Quiz 2 |
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