How Does a Planet Different from a Star?

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Detailed Solution

The main difference is that a star produces its own light and energy, while a planet does not.

Stars (like the Sun) are massive celestial bodies made of hot gases, mainly hydrogen and helium. They generate energy through nuclear fusion in their cores, which makes them shine.
Planets, on the other hand, are relatively smaller bodies that revolve around stars. They do not have nuclear fusion, so they cannot produce light; instead, they reflect the light of their star.

Feature	Star	Planet
Light/Energy	Produces own light via nuclear fusion	Does not produce light; reflects star’s light
Temperature	Extremely hot (millions of °C in core)	Comparatively cooler
Composition	Mostly hydrogen and helium gas	Solid, liquid, or gas; may have atmosphere
Size & Mass	Much larger and more massive	Smaller and less massive
Orbit	Does not orbit planets; may have planets orbiting it	Orbits a star
Example	The Sun, Sirius, Alpha Centauri	Earth, Jupiter, Mars