Where We Are in the Universe
Where We Are in the Universe
Navigate the knowledge tree: 🌿 Earth & Space Science ➡ Astronomy ➡ Our Place in Space
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Navigate the knowledge tree: 🌿 Earth & Space Science ➡ Astronomy ➡ Our Place in Space
Where We Are in the Solar System
Where We Are in the Solar System
Over thousands of years, our tupuna (ancestors) have observed, measured and calculated what we now know about the universe. Modern-day astronomers are now able to use telescopes to get very precise measurements and readings. This has led to our understanding of where we are in the universe. Today, we know that there are many things out there in space, like stars (nga whetū), planets (nga whetūao), moons, comets, asteroids, and much more! So, let’s start with stars.
At the centre of our solar system is te Rā, a star (whetū) that creates its own light and heat through nuclear reactions. Our planet (whetūao), te Papaūānuku (Earth), orbits around te Rā along with 7 other planets (whetūao) and many other objects that make up our solar system.
Te Papatūānuku (Earth) is the third planet (whetūao) in the solar system, 1 AU (around 150,000,000 km) away from te Rā. Marama (the moon) is our closest neighbour at 384,000 km away.
However, we are on just one planet (whetūao) amongst many objects in our solar system. Although we tend to think only of the planets (whetūao) orbiting around our star, te Rā, the solar system itself stretches out to around 1,000 AU (150 billion km away).
Where We Are in the Galaxy
Where We Are in the Galaxy
Our solar system is one of billions in our galaxy, the Milky Way. Many of the other stars (whetū) in our galaxy also have planet(s) orbiting around them.
Our galaxy is a grouping of billions of stars (whetū), planets (whetūao), dust and gas, all orbiting in a disk-shape around its centre. It is one of billions of galaxies in the universe, each with their own millions of stars (whetū) and planets (whetūao) as well.
Activity: Solar System & Galaxy Exploration
Activity: Solar System & Galaxy Exploration
Use the interactive below or click on this link to open it in a new window: https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/
Zoom in and out to see where our whetū, te Rā and planets are compared to other nearby stars and the rest of the galaxy.
As you zoom out, you may seeother named objects come up. Click on them to read more about those stars and other objects.
Where Solar Systems Come From
Where Solar Systems Come From
Stars (nga whetū), planets (nga whetūao) and solar systems form out of nebulae. Many new solar systems are found in the huge nebula pictured below called the Orion Nebula. The following pictures underneath are all parts of the Orion Nebula. The disc-shape is where the planets (whetūao) will form, and the orange spot in the centre is where a star (whetū) is forming.
More on Where We Are in the Universe
📕 article 📸 image 🎮 interactive 🎦 videoMore on Where We Are in the Universe
Glossary
Key terms and definitions.Glossary
galaxy: A huge collection of stars and their solar systems, held together by gravity.
nebula: A vast cloud of gas and dust where all stars are formed.
planet (whetūao): A large ball-shaped collection of gas and/or other materials. It does not create its own heat and light.
solar system: A collection of planets that orbit a star or set of stars.
star (whetū): A large ball-shaped collection of hydrogen and helium that is creating its own heat and light.
universe: All the things we can see in space, including all stars, galaxies and the space in between.
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