---
title: "The solar system"
description: "Describe the sun, Earth, and moon as approximately spherical bodies, and describe the movement of the Earth and other planets orbiting the sun in the solar system"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-solar-system-mt_5l7iGkf1Tp
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-solar-system-mt_5l7iGkf1Tp.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# The solar system

Describe the sun, Earth, and moon as approximately spherical bodies, and describe the movement of the Earth and other planets orbiting the sun in the solar system

Subject: Science · Area: Space Systems & Earth's History · Ages 9 to 10
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-solar-system-mt_5l7iGkf1Tp

## Ready when they can

- State that the sun, Earth, and moon are approximately spherical
- Name the planets in order from the sun and explain they all orbit the sun
- Describe the moon orbiting the Earth while both orbit the sun

## Lesson: The Solar System in Motion

The sun, Earth, and the moon are all shaped like a ball. We call that shape a sphere. A sphere looks round from every side, not flat like a circle drawn on paper.

*(drawing: This drawing is a flat circle, but Earth itself is a sphere, round all the way around, like a ball you could roll.)*

You already know the planets in order from the sun. Each one also moves along a giant curved path around the sun. That path is called an orbit. The Moon orbits Earth while both Earth and the Moon travel around the Sun.

*(drawing: Every planet keeps its place in this order as it orbits the sun. Earth is the third planet out.)*

**Example.** Zara pictures the moon circling Earth. At the same time, Earth is circling the sun, so the moon travels along with Earth on that bigger trip too. Two loops happen at once: the moon around Earth, and Earth around the sun.

**Recap.** The sun, Earth, and moon are all spheres, and while the planets orbit the sun, the moon orbits Earth too.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Naming the Planets](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/naming-the-planets-mt_EHuU1ZeUFA)
- [Sun, Moon, and stars](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/sun-moon-and-stars-mt_fk33IEGP-T)

## Opens up

- [The solar system (age 11+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-solar-system-age-11-mt_33RrpbceZE)
- [Phases of the Moon](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/phases-of-the-moon-mt_4V-vYhFUcm)
- [Earth's rotation and day/night](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-rotation-and-day-night-mt_q15w--Fb5H)
- [Gravity Pulls Things Down](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/gravity-pulls-things-down-mt_Y2WcY2lOTK)
- [Star Brightness & Distance](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/star-brightness-and-distance-mt_ZhKuYCbXz1)