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Sun:

Size and Mass:

The Sun is a type of yellow dwarf star and is much larger than Earth. Its mass is about 1.989 × 10^30 kilograms, which is approximately 333,000 times the mass of Earth.

Composition:

The Sun is primarily composed of hydrogen (about 74%) and helium (about 24%). Other elements like oxygen, carbon, neon, etc., make up less than 2% of its mass.

Temperature and Energy:

The temperature at the surface of the Sun, known as the photosphere, is about 5,500 degrees Celsius. At the core of the Sun, temperatures reach millions of degrees Celsius. The Sun produces energy through nuclear fusion reactions, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium nuclei, releasing an enormous amount of energy in the form of light and heat.

Rotation:

The Sun has a differential rotation period, meaning different parts of the Sun rotate at different speeds. At the equator, it rotates faster (about 24 days) than at the poles (about 35 days).

Solar Activity:

The Sun exhibits periodic activity such as sunspots, solar flares, and solar cycles of approximately 11 years.

Distance

from Earth: The Sun is located at an average distance of about 149.6 million kilometers (or 1 astronomical unit, AU) from Earth.

Influence on the Solar System:

The Sun exerts gravitational attraction that keeps the planets and other objects in the solar system in orbit around it.

Lifespan:

The Sun has a lifespan of about 4.5 billion years. It is currently about halfway through its life and will continue to shine and provide energy for several billion more years before undergoing significant changes.

Mercury:

Size:

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system, with a diameter of about 4,880 kilometers.

Composition:

It is primarily composed of rock and metal and has a relatively large iron core.

Distance from the Sun:

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, located at an average distance of about 57.9 million kilometers (0.39 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Mercury has a slow rotation, completing one rotation on its axis in about 59 Earth days. It takes about 88 Earth days to complete one orbit around the Sun.

Atmosphere:

Mercury has a very thin atmosphere, almost negligible, and lacks a significant atmosphere to retain heat.

Venus:

Size:

Venus is similar in size to Earth, with a diameter of about 12,104 kilometers.

Composition:

It is primarily composed of rock and has a thick atmosphere mainly consisting of carbon dioxide.

Distance from the Sun:

Venus is the second planet from the Sun, located at an average distance of about 108.2 million kilometers (0.72 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Venus has a slow retrograde rotation, meaning it rotates on its axis in the opposite direction of most other planets. It takes about 225 Earth days to complete one rotation and about 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun.

Atmosphere:

Venus has a dense atmosphere with clouds of sulfuric acid that trap heat, making it the hottest planet in our solar system.

Earth:

Size:

Earth has a diameter of about 12,742 kilometers, making it the largest rocky planet in our solar system.

Composition:

Earth is composed of a rocky mantle, a metallic core, and a thin atmosphere that sustains life.

Distance from the Sun:

Earth is the third planet from the Sun, located at an average distance of about 149.6 million kilometers (1 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Earth takes about 24 hours to complete one rotation on its axis (giving us day and night) and about 365.25 days to orbit the Sun (giving us one year).

Atmosphere:

Earth has a life-sustaining atmosphere, primarily consisting of nitrogen and oxygen, crucial for supporting life as we know it.

Mars:

Size:

Mars has a diameter of about 6,779 kilometers, making it the second smallest planet after Mercury.

Composition:

Mars is primarily composed of rock and has a thin atmosphere mainly consisting of carbon dioxide.

Distance from the Sun:

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, located at an average distance of about 227.9 million kilometers (1.52 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Mars takes about 24.6 hours to complete one rotation on its axis and about 687 Earth days to orbit the Sun.

Atmosphere:

Mars has a thin atmosphere that is not sufficient to support life as we know it.

Jupiter:

Size:

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a diameter of about 139,822 kilometers.

Composition:

It is primarily composed of gas and does not have a solid surface like rocky planets.

Distance from the Sun:

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun, located at an average distance of about 778.3 million kilometers (5.20 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Jupiter has a fast rotation, taking about 9.9 hours to complete one rotation on its axis. It takes about 11.9 Earth years to orbit the Sun.

Atmosphere:

Jupiter has a thick atmosphere mostly consisting of hydrogen and helium and is known for its colorful bands and the Great Red Spot.

Saturn:

Size:

Saturn is the second-largest planet, with a diameter of about 116,464 kilometers.

Composition:

It is primarily composed of gas and has a prominent system of rings made of ice and dust particles.

Distance from the Sun:

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun, located at an average distance of about 1.43 billion kilometers (9.58 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Saturn takes about 10.7 hours to complete one rotation on its axis and about 29.5 Earth years to orbit the Sun.

Atmosphere:

Saturn has a thick atmosphere, similar to Jupiter, but its rings are the most distinctive feature.

Uranus:

Size:

Uranus is the third-largest planet, with a diameter of about 50,724 kilometers.

Composition:

It is primarily composed of gas and ice, and its atmosphere contains methane, which gives it a blue-green color.

Distance from the Sun:

Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun, located at an average distance of about 2.87 billion kilometers (19.22 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Uranus has a unique rotational axis tilted at about 98 degrees, causing it to appear to roll on its side. It takes about 17.2 Earth hours to complete one rotation on its axis and about 84 Earth years to orbit the Sun.

Atmosphere:

Uranus has a cold and relatively bland atmosphere compared to other gas giants.

Neptune:

Size:

Neptune is the fourth-largest planet, with a diameter of about 49,244 kilometers.

Composition:

It is primarily composed of gas and ice, and its atmosphere contains methane, which gives it a deep blue color.

Distance from the Sun:

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun, located at an average distance of about 4.50 billion kilometers (30.05 AU).

Rotation and Orbit:

Neptune takes about 16.1 Earth hours to complete one rotation on its axis and about 165 Earth years to orbit the Sun.

Atmosphere:

Neptune has a dynamic and stormy atmosphere, with features like the Great Dark Spot and fast winds.

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Pluto:

Size and Classification:

Pluto is a dwarf planet, and it is much smaller than the eight major planets. Its diameter is approximately 2,377 kilometers, making it about 0.18 times the diameter of Earth.

Discovery and Status:

Pluto was discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. For many years, it was considered the ninth planet in our solar system. However, in 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) redefined the criteria for what constitutes a planet, and Pluto no longer met the new definition. It was reclassified as a dwarf planet, along with other similar celestial bodies.

Distance from the Sun:

Pluto is the farthest known celestial body in our solar system. It orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 5.9 billion kilometers (39.5 astronomical units, AU).

Composition:

Pluto is believed to be composed mainly of ice (primarily nitrogen, methane, and water ice) and rock. It has a thin atmosphere that consists of nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide.

Moons:

Pluto has five known moons, with the largest one being Charon. Charon is so large compared to Pluto that some scientists consider the Pluto-Charon system as a "double planet."

Rotation and Orbit:

Pluto has a slow rotation period of about 6.4 Earth days. It takes about 248 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun.

Pluto's Demotion:

Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet sparked debates and discussions among astronomers and the public. While it is no longer considered one of the major planets, it remains a fascinating object of study in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune where many other small icy bodies reside.

New Horizons Mission: In 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft conducted a flyby of Pluto, providing valuable data and images of this distant world. The mission revealed many details about Pluto's surface and its moons, shedding light on this enigmatic dwarf planet.