Our solar system

by Space fan

Join Astronaut Dan on an amazing space adventure!

Grade 2: Transitional readers10 pages

A non-fiction storybook about the planets in our solar system

Characters

Astronaut Dan

Style

Realistic & Painterly

Story

Story Arc

“Hello, young explorers!” Astronaut Dan called out, his voice a happy sound in his helmet. He was floating high above Earth, ready for an exciting journey. Dan wanted to show everyone his favorite parts of space. Today, they would visit all the amazing planets.

First, Astronaut Dan pointed to the bright, glowing Sun. “This is our Sun, a giant star that warms our whole system,” he explained. Next to it, tiny Mercury whizzed by. Mercury is the smallest planet and very close to the Sun. It has super hot days and very cold nights!

Astronaut Dan floated past Mercury to a planet covered in thick, yellowish clouds. “This is Venus,” he said. “It’s almost the same size as Earth.” Venus is the hottest planet, even hotter than Mercury. It also spins backward compared to most planets!

“Now, look at our beautiful home!” Astronaut Dan beamed, looking at a vibrant blue-and-white sphere. Earth is the only planet with liquid water, which helps things grow. It is also the only planet we know that has life. Earth has one big moon that orbits around it.

Next, Astronaut Dan flew to the red planet. “This is Mars, sometimes called the Red Planet,” he announced. Mars is a dusty, cold desert world with a thin atmosphere. It has two small moons that are oddly shaped. Scientists hope to visit Mars someday!

Astronaut Dan then approached a giant, swirling orb. “Wow, look at Jupiter!” he exclaimed. “It’s the biggest planet in our solar system.” Jupiter is a gas giant with a huge storm called the Great Red Spot. It has many moons, more than any other planet!

A beautiful ringed planet appeared next. “Here is Saturn, famous for its incredible rings,” Astronaut Dan said. Its rings are made of billions of icy rock pieces. Saturn is another gas giant, so big and light it could float in water! It also has many moons.

Astronaut Dan moved further out, to a blue-green planet. “This is Uranus, an ice giant,” he explained. Uranus is unique because it spins almost on its side. It has a very cold and icy atmosphere. Uranus also has faint, dark rings.

Finally, Astronaut Dan arrived at the deep blue planet. “Meet Neptune, the farthest planet from our Sun,” he said. Neptune is another ice giant and is known for its super strong winds. It has a beautiful, deep blue color. Neptune takes 165 Earth years to orbit the Sun!

Astronaut Dan smiled, looking back at all the wonderful planets. “What an incredible journey we had today!” he exclaimed. “Our solar system is full of amazing places to learn about.” He waved goodbye, ready for more adventures someday soon.

The end

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Words to know

explorers: People who travel to new and unknown places to learn about them.; “Hello, young explorers!” Astronaut Dan called out, his voice a happy sound in his helmet.
floating: To move or drift lightly in the air or water.; He was floating high above Earth, ready for an exciting journey.
journey: A trip or a long walk to a place.; He was floating high above Earth, ready for an exciting journey.
pointed: Showed with a finger or an object.; First, Astronaut Dan pointed to the bright, glowing Sun.
giant: Something that is very, very big.; “This is our Sun, a giant star that warms our whole system,” he explained.
system: A group of things that work together, like planets around a star.; “This is our Sun, a giant star that warms our whole system,” he explained.
whizzed: Moved very quickly with a buzzing sound.; Next to it, tiny Mercury whizzed by.
clogged: Blocked or filled up tightly.; Its thick, yellowish clouds the planet.
spins: Turns around and around quickly.; It also spins backward compared to most planets!
compared: Looked at to see how things are alike or different.; It also spins backward compared to most planets!
beamed: Smiled in a very happy way.; “Now, look at our beautiful home!” Astronaut Dan beamed, looking at a vibrant blue-and-white sphere.
vibrant: Bright and colorful.; “Now, look at our beautiful home!” Astronaut Dan beamed, looking at a vibrant blue-and-white sphere.
sphere: A round object, like a ball.; “Now, look at our beautiful home!” Astronaut Dan beamed, looking at a vibrant blue-and-white sphere.
liquid: Something that flows, like water, not solid or gas.; Earth is the only planet with liquid water, which helps things grow.
orbits: To travel in a curved path around another object in space.; Earth has one big moon that orbits around it.
announced: Said something in a loud or clear way for everyone to hear.; “This is Mars, sometimes called the Red Planet,” he announced.
dusty: Covered with small particles of dry earth or other fine material.; Mars is a dusty, cold desert world with a thin atmosphere.
atmosphere: The layer of gases that surrounds a planet.; Mars is a dusty, cold desert world with a thin atmosphere.
oddly: In a strange or unusual way.; It has two small moons that are oddly shaped.
approached: Came near to something or someone.; Astronaut Dan then approached a giant, swirling orb.
swirling: Moving around quickly in a twisting or spinning shape.; Astronaut Dan then approached a giant, swirling orb.
exclaimed: Said something suddenly and with strong feeling.; “Wow, look at Jupiter!” he exclaimed.
solar: Having to do with the Sun.; “It’s the biggest planet in our solar system.”
gas: A substance like air that can spread out and fill a space.; Jupiter is a gas giant with a huge storm called the Great Red Spot.
billions: A number that is one thousand million.; Its rings are made of billions of icy rock pieces.
unique: Being the only one of its kind; special.; Uranus is unique because it spins almost on its side.
faint: Not strong or bright; hard to see or hear.; Uranus also has faint, dark rings.
farthest: The greatest distance away.; “Meet Neptune, the farthest planet from our Sun,” he said.
incredible: Hard or impossible to believe; amazing.; “What an incredible journey we had today!” he exclaimed.