how are the geocentric and heliocentric models of the solar system different
what keeps the planets in orbit around the sun
what bodies make up the solar system
how is the solar system being explored today
The geocentric model of the solar system was the belief that Earth was the center of the universe, and that all celestial bodies, including the Sun, revolved around it. The heliocentric model, on the other hand, proposed by Copernicus in the 16th century, stated that the Sun was the center of the solar system, with the planets, including Earth, orbiting around it.
The planets are kept in orbit around the Sun due to the gravitational pull of the Sun. This gravitational force keeps the planets in their elliptical paths around the Sun.
The bodies that make up our solar system include the Sun, the eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), their moons, asteroids, comets, and other celestial objects.
The solar system is being explored today through various methods, such as robotic space missions, telescopic observations, and studies of meteorites. Space agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency have sent probes and spacecraft to explore different planets and moons within our solar system. Additionally, advancements in technology have allowed for more detailed studies of the solar system's composition, formation, and evolution.