English PSSSB Practice 23

The Solar System is a vast and dynamic family of celestial bodies bound together by the gravitational pull of the Sun, which is located at its center and accounts for nearly 99.8 percent of the total mass. The Sun is a gigantic ball of hot gases, mainly hydrogen and helium, producing energy through nuclear fusion that sustains life on Earth and drives climatic systems. Orbiting around it are eight major planets, divided into two groups. The inner rocky planets-Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars-are smaller, denser, and composed mainly of silicate rocks and metals. The outer giant planets-Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune-are much larger, with thick atmospheres dominated by hydrogen, helium, methane, and ammonia. Jupiter, the largest planet, has a powerful magnetic field and more than 90 moons, including the famous Ganymede, the largest moon in the Solar System. Saturn is well known for its magnificent ring system composed of ice and rock particles. Uranus rotates on its side, making it unique, while Neptune, the farthest planet, is known for its strong winds and striking blue color. Apart from planets, the Solar System also contains dwarf planets such as Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris, as well as thousands of asteroids concentrated mainly in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets, which are icy bodies originating from the Kuiper Belt and the distant Oort Cloud, develop glowing tails when they approach the Sun. Meteoroids, smaller fragments of rock or metal, often enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up, producing meteors or "shooting stars." The Solar System is structured into distinct regions, beginning with the inner system of terrestrial planets, followed by the asteroid belt, then the outer gas and ice giants, and finally the trans-Neptunian objects. The heliosphere, a vast bubble created by the solar wind, forms the outer boundary, beyond which lies interstellar space. Studying the Solar System is vital not only for understanding the origin and evolution of planets but also for exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life. With ongoing space missions and telescopic discoveries, humanity continues to unravel the mysteries of this cosmic neighborhood.