Celestial Bodies – Features & Study Notes 1. Stars Features: Huge balls of hot, glowing gases Have their own light and heat Appear small because they are very far from Earth Form patterns called constellations Live for millions of years Example: Sun, Sirius, Pole Star 2. The Sun Features: A star at the center of the Solar System Main source of light and heat for Earth Made mainly of hydrogen and helium Controls the movement of planets Essential for life on Earth 3. Planets Features: Do not have their own light Revolve around the Sun in fixed paths called orbits Nearly spherical in shape Reflect sunlight There are 8 planets in the Solar System Types of Planets (a) Inner / Terrestrial Planets Features: Located close to the Sun Made of rocks and metals Smaller in size Examples: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars (b) Outer / Gas Giant Planets Features: Located far from the Sun Made mostly of gases Very large in size Have rings and many moo...