By what properties are planets determined?

When we look at the night sky, it looks very beautiful. The moon and millions of celestial bodies give a magnificent look to the sky.

We all are familiar with the moon. Even a small baby can also recognize the moon very easily. But what about the other heavenly bodies which seem to twinkle all the nights. Are all of them stars?

No, our solar system comprises of a variety of objects- stars, planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, meteoroids.

There are nine planets in our solar system, while other heavenly bodies except the satellites are uncountable.

The earth is also one the nine planets.

What makes planets different from the other heavenly bodies?

• The planets revolve around the sun in a certain orbit

• The planets do not emit any light or heat

• The planets do not twinkle, they just reflect the light fall on them.

• The planets are not as big as the stars.

• Every planet has its own satellite. The number of satellite, however, vary from planet to planet. The earth has only one satellite the moon.

• Planets are closer to the earth and usually much brighter.

There are five planets, namely Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn they are closer to the earth and can be seen with naked eyes at the clear night. The planet is the only heavenly body which can support life. Since many years, scientists have been working to trace life on the Mars.