Science · Class 8
Stars and the Solar System
Moon phases, constellations, and structure of the solar system.
4 sections15–25 min read6 MCQs · 2 examples
Chapter Overview
The solar system has the Sun, eight planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. This chapter covers constellations, phases of Moon, eclipses, and artificial satellites.
Solar System
- Planets orbit Sun; order: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
- Inner rocky planets; outer gas giants
- Pluto reclassified dwarf planet
Moon and Eclipses
- Moon phases: new moon → waxing → full → waning (29.5 days)
- Solar eclipse: Moon blocks Sun (day becomes dark)
- Lunar eclipse: Earth blocks Sun's light to Moon
Stars and Constellations
- Stars emit own light; planets reflect sunlight
- Constellations: Ursa Major (Saptarishi), Orion, Cassiopeia
- Pole Star (Dhruv) near north celestial pole
Solved Examples
Step-by-step solutions — read each step before checking the final answer.
Moon phases
Why do we see different Moon shapes?
- 1Moon orbits Earth — we see lit portion
- 2Sunlight illuminates half of Moon always
- 3Angle changes daily
Answer
Changing angle of sunlit half
Solar eclipse
When does solar eclipse occur?
- 1New moon — Moon between Earth and Sun
- 2Moon's shadow on Earth
- 3Never look directly at Sun
Answer
New moon phase; Moon blocks Sun
Key Points to Remember
- ✓ ISRO launches artificial satellites (Aryabhata, Chandrayaan)
- ✓ Light-year is distance not time
- ✓ Comets have tail pointing away from Sun
Exam Tips
- • Draw solar system with planet order
- • Explain phases of Moon
- • Distinguish solar and lunar eclipse
Practice MCQs — Stars and the Solar System
Test your understanding with topic-wise multiple choice questions. Explanations appear after each answer.
Question 1 of 6Score: 0/0
Planets revolve around: