Understanding What a Planet Is
A planet is a large, round object that orbits a star. It is big enough for gravity to shape it into a sphere, but not big enough to produce its own light like a star does.
How a Planet Forms
Planets form from leftover gas and dust around a young star. Over time, small pieces collide and stick together, eventually growing into large bodies that become planets.
What Makes a Planet a Planet
To be considered a planet, an object must orbit a star, be nearly round due to gravity, and clear its orbit of smaller objects. These rules help distinguish planets from other space objects.
Types of Planets
There are rocky planets like Earth and Mars, and gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. Their size and composition depend on where they formed in the solar system.
The Simple Takeaway
A planet is a round object that orbits a star and does not produce its own light. It forms from gas and dust and comes in many sizes and types.