Difference Between Stars and Planets - A Complete Guide
In this article, we are going to learn about stars, planets, how a planet differs from a star or star and planet difference, the difference between space and sky, the difference between space and universe and many more. When you look up high in the sky at night, you'll see trillions of shimmering dots, some of which are brighter, some of which are larger, and some of which twinkle.
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Star
A celestial body with its own light and energy is known as a star. A star is a massive, gleaming ball of heated gas made primarily of Hydrogen and Helium that have collided due to gravity. Heavy elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are produced by stars. The visual aspect of the universe is shaped by star formation, which also supplies the locations for planets. Especially in the field of astronomy.
The Cycle of a Star's Life
Stars are born within dust clouds and are found across most galaxies. The Orion Nebula is a well-known example of such a dust cloud. In the blazons of spiral galaxies, stars develop as an impenetrable cloud of gas.
Under the influence of the star's gravity, individual hydrogen atoms descend with accretionary speed and energy into the cloud's centre. Deep within these clouds, slubs of sufficient mass form, causing the gas and dust to begin to collapse under their own gravitational force. The gas is heated by the increase in energy. The temperature rises to around 20 million degrees Fahrenheit after millions of years of this activity.
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The hydrogen within the star ignites and burns in a never-ending series of nuclear events at this temperature, and the material at the centre begins to heat up. The Sun, our nearest star, is so hot that a massive amount of hydrogen conducts a star-wide nuclear reaction, similar to that of a hydrogen bomb. Even though it is constantly bursting in a nuclear reaction, the Sun and other stars are so massive that the explosion will take billions of years to consume all of the star's fuel. The inward force of gravity balances the exterior pressure of the gas heated by fusion, leaving the star in hydrostatic equilibrium. By keeping the star's temperature constant, this hydrostatic equilibrium remains balanced during the majority of the star's life. From birth to death, and all the stages in between, the life cycle of any star would take billions of years. That's why, to these goliaths, a human morsel of a blink of an eye doesn't seem to change anything.
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Planets
A planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun and has sufficient mass for itself gravity to overcome rigid body forces, causing it to assume a hydrostatic equilibrium, making it round. Planets are smaller than stars.
A planet is a huge astronomical body that revolves in fixed orbits around the sun. Planets do not emit their natural light, but rather reflect the light of the sun. Planets, like stars, do not twinkle because they are considerably closer to us. The Earth is also a planet, and it is the only place in the cosmos where we know of life.
Types of Planets
Planets can be categorized into two types:
Inner Planets: The inner planets, also referred to as terrestrial planets, are those whose orbits are situated within the asteroid belt. These planets are relatively smaller in size and predominantly composed of solid elements such as rocks and metals. The inner planets in our solar system consist of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
Outer Planets: The outer planets, conversely, have orbits that extend beyond the asteroid belt. These planets are notably larger in size compared to their inner counterparts and are characterized by the presence of rings. They are primarily composed of gases like hydrogen and helium. The outer planets in our solar system include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
How Does a Planet Differ from a Star?
Understanding how a planet differs from a star is fundamental in astronomy. Here’s a quick breakdown of what is the difference between a star and a planet.
| Stars | Planets |
| The most well-known astronomical objects are stars, which are the most basic building pieces of galaxies. | In comparison, the planet is a massive natural body that revolves around the Sun or a star and does not emit energy from nuclear fusion events. |
| Thermonuclear fusion, which occurs at the centre of stars, produces their own light. | Planets don't have their own light, thus they reflect the Sun's. |
| Because of the great distance between the stars, their positions vary, and this can be seen after a long period. | Planets have a tendency to shift positions as they orbit the Sun. |
| Greater in size | Smaller in size |
| They have a dot-like shape | They have a similar structure |
| A star is a massive gaseous object with a very high temperature. | Their temperature is low |
| Because of air refraction, they glitter. | They are not twinkling. |
| Hydrogen, helium, and other light elements make up this substance. | Solids, liquids, or gases, or a combination of these three. |
| Stars travel in their own orbits, each with a substantial distance between them, and their motion can be observed after a long period. | Planets follow a specific course around the Sun as they orbit the Sun. Orbit is the name given to this journey (Elliptical orbit). |
| In the solar system, there is only one star, but there are trillions of stars in the galaxy. | In the solar system, there are eight planets. |
This table highlights the difference between a star and a planet and answers questions like how a planet differs from a star and how a planet is different from a star by providing clear contrasts between these celestial objects.
Difference Between Space and Universe
| Space | Universe |
| The void that lies between celestial objects is referred to as space. | The term "universe" encompasses all physical matter and energy, as well as solar systems, planets, galaxies, and all the contents of space. |
| Space does not include celestial objects; only the space between them is included. | All heavenly objects are included in the universe. |
| Magnetic fields, electromagnetic radiation, neutrinos, dust, and cosmic rays are all present in space. | Planets, stars, galaxies, and space make up the universe. |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A celestial body with its own light and energy is known as a star.
A star is a massive, gleaming ball of heated gas made primarily of Hydrogen and Helium.
A planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun and has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces, causing it to assume a hydrostatic equilibrium, making it round.
Star
Eight
Stars | Planets |
The most well-known astronomical objects are stars, which are the most basic building pieces of galaxies. | In comparison, the planet is a massive natural body that revolves around the Sun or a star and does not emit energy from nuclear fusion events. |
Thermonuclear fusion, which occurs at the centre of stars, produces their own light. | Planets don't have their own light, thus they reflect the Sun's. |
Because of the great distance between the stars, their positions vary, and this can be seen after a long period. | Planets have a tendency to shift positions as they orbit the Sun. |
Greater in size | Smaller in size |
They have dot like shape | They have round like structure |
A star is a massive gaseous object with a very high temperature. | There temperature is low |
Because of air refraction, they glitter. | They are not twinkling. |
Hydrogen, helium, and other light elements make up this substance. | Solids, liquids, or gases, or a combination of these three. |
Stars travel in their own orbits, each with a substantial distance between them, and their motion can be observed after a long period. | Planets follow a specific course around the Sun as they orbit the Sun. Orbit is the name given to this journey (Elliptical orbit). |
In the solar system, there is only one star, but there are trillions of stars in the galaxy. | In the solar system, there are eight planets. |
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