The Solar System

2. The largest planet in the solar system.
5. The region around a star where the temperature would be just right for liquid water on a planet’s surface. Earth is in the habitable zone.
6. The only planet known to harbor life in our solar system.
9. A theoretical, spherical shell of icy objects that surrounds the solar system, beyond the Kuiper Belt.
10. The farthest planet from the Sun.
12. Massive, violent storm on Jupiter and the largest in the solar system. Looks like a red spot on the surface.
13. Smallest planet and closest to the Sun.
15. A storm on Neptune similar to Jupiter’s storm. Looks like a dark blue spot.
16. Earth’s “sister” planet. Has a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide that traps heat.
18. Known as “dirty snowballs”, these balls of frozen gases, rock, and dust have long elliptical orbits around the Sun. When they near the Sun, the ices sublimate, forming a glowing head and tail.
20. A “belt of icy objects beyond Neptune.
21. The streak of light in the sky caused by a meteoroid burning up when it enters Earth’s atmosphere.

1. The piece of the meteoroid that survives the atmospheric entry and lands on the surface of Earth.
3. The star at the center of the solar system that provides light and heat.
4. This planet has ice at its poles.
7. Rocky remnants from the early solar system that orbit the Sun, varying in size and composition.
8. This planet is known for its beautiful rings and low density.
11. A “belt” of rocks and dust leftover from the formation of the solar system between Mars and Jupiter.
14. Earth’s only natural satellite. Very similar in size and composition to Mercury. Can be seen with the naked eye in the night sky.
17. This planet has a tilt of about 90º, which causes it to rotate on its side.
19. A small rocky or metallic object in space that is smaller than an asteroid.