taivaankappaleissa

Taivaankappaleet, or celestial bodies, are objects in outer space that are massive enough to be spherical due to their own gravity. These bodies are categorized into several types based on their composition and characteristics. The most well-known celestial bodies include planets, stars, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.

Planets are large celestial bodies that orbit around a star. They are typically spherical and have cleared their orbits of other debris. Our solar system consists of eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Each planet has unique features, such as Earth's liquid water and Mars' red color due to iron oxide.

Stars are massive, luminous spheres of plasma held together by their own gravity. They generate energy through nuclear fusion in their cores. The Sun is the closest star to Earth and is the primary source of light and heat for our solar system. Other stars can be found in galaxies, including our own Milky Way.

Moons, also known as natural satellites, are celestial bodies that orbit around planets or dwarf planets. They can vary greatly in size and composition. For example, Earth has one moon, while Jupiter has over 79 known moons.

Asteroids are rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They range in size from small boulders to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. Comets are icy bodies that also orbit the Sun, characterized by their long, glowing tails that form when they approach the Sun.

Meteoroids are small rocky or metallic bodies that orbit the Sun. When they enter Earth's atmosphere, they become meteors, often creating streaks of light in the sky. If a meteoroid survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth's surface, it is called a meteorite.

The study of celestial bodies is known as astronomy. Astronomers use various tools, such as telescopes and satellites, to observe and analyze these objects, contributing to our understanding of the universe.