Difference Between Stars and Planets

Understanding the difference between stars and planets is certainly very important in studying the universe. Furthermore, there are many differences between the two that set them apart from one another. Moreover, one big difference between stars and planets has to do with temperature. Stars certainly have much higher temperatures in comparison to planets. Keep on reading to understand in detail the difference between stars and planets.

Definition of Stars

An important question is how do you tell the difference between a star and a planet? Well, stars are astronomical objects that represent the building blocks of galaxies. Moreover, the stars are huge celestial bodies that comprise mostly helium and hydrogen. Furthermore, helium and hydrogen cause the production of light and heat from the churning nuclear forges inside the star.

Definition of Planets

A planet refers to an astronomical object that orbits a star or a stellar remnant. Furthermore, this star or stellar remnant must be big enough to make a planet revolve around it. Moreover, some planets are the giant gas type while others are the small rocky type.

Difference between Stars and Planets

Important difference between Stars and Planets is below

Parameter	Stars	Planets
Meaning	Stars refer to astronomical objects that produce their own light due to thermonuclear fusion taking place in its core.	Planets are celestial objects that revolve around a star in a definite path
Size	Big	Small
Temperature	High	Low
Shape	Dot shape	Sphere shape
Position	Their position changes as part of the massive distance they travel. With relation to the planets revolving them, their position does not change	They change their position as they revolve around the star
Light	Stars produce and emit their own light	Planets do not have any light of their own
Twinkle Effect	Stars produce twinkling effect	Planets do not produce twinkling effect
Number	A solar system has only one star	There can certainly be more than one planet revolving around a star, which is usually the case
Matter	Stars comprise of helium, hydrogen, and some other light elements	Planets can be gaseous, liquid, solid, or a combination thereon

More Details about Stars

With the age, composition and distribution of the stars in a particular galaxy, one can find out more information about that galaxy. Furthermore, this information pertains to the dynamics, evolution, and history of that particular galaxy.

The manufacturing and distribution of heavy elements like nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen certainly depend upon the stars. This is because the characteristics of these heavy elements depend on the characteristics of planetary systems which in turn depend on the star. Also, the formation of stars takes place within the clouds of dust that are present in a vast majority of galaxies.

There is turbulence deep within the clouds of dust which results in the formation of knots of appropriate mass. Consequently, this mass facilitates the collapsing of gas and dust due to its own gravitational attraction. Afterwards, the centre material begins heating which eventually leads to the formation of a star.

More Information on Planets

One major difference between Sun and planet is that planet is incredibly smaller in size. Furthermore, a fundamental characteristic of a planet is that it must revolve around a star, which in our solar system is the Sun. Moreover, the planet must be big enough to possess sufficient gravity, so as to give it a spherical shape. Also, it must clear other objects present in its orbital neighbourhood.

The origin of the word planet is from the Greek word ‘planetes’, meaning ‘wanderer.’ This meaning is true because planets seem to wander amongst the stars due to their orbiting around the sun.  Furthermore, the estimation is that there are trillions of planets in the universe.

FAQ About Stars and Planets

Question 1: Give one difference between stars and planets?

Answer 1: One difference between stars and planets is that the stars emit their own light while the planets certainly do not.

Question 2: Give one characteristic of a planet?

Answer 2: One characteristic of a planet is that it must be big enough to have sufficient amount of gravity. This appropriate amount of gravity would give the planet a spherical shape.