- Dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Eris — too small to clear their orbital path
- Natural satellites (moons): Objects orbiting planets (Earth has 1, Jupiter has 95+)
- Asteroids: Rocky objects, mostly in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter
- Comets: Icy bodies with tails; orbit is highly elliptical; from outer solar system
This key facts covers Other Objects in the Solar System within Our Solar System for GCSE Physics. Revise Our Solar System in Space Physics for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 4 of 8 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Our Solar System
Which of the following is NOT an inner rocky planet in our solar system?
Explain how gravity keeps a planet in a circular orbit around the Sun.
Quick recall flashcards
What is a dwarf planet?
A planet-like object that is too small to clear its orbital path. Examples: Pluto, Ceres, Eris
What is a light year?
The distance light travels in one year = 9.46 × 10¹² km. It's a DISTANCE, not a time!