About Our Solar System
Our solar system is home to the Sun, eight planets, dozens of moons, countless asteroids, comets, and other
celestial objects. Located in the Milky Way galaxy, it's the only place we know of that harbors life – on
Earth.
Planets of the Solar System
Mercury
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest in our solar system. It has no atmosphere, and
its surface temperatures vary drastically between day and night.
- Distance from Sun: 57.9 million km
- Orbital Period: 88 Earth days
- Moons: None
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and is known for its thick, toxic atmosphere. Its surface is
hotter than any other planet in the solar system due to the greenhouse effect.
- Distance from Sun: 108.2 million km
- Orbital Period: 225 Earth days
- Moons: None
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only planet known to support life. It has one natural
satellite, the Moon.
- Distance from Sun: 149.6 million km
- Orbital Period: 365.25 Earth days
- Moons: 1 (The Moon)
Mars
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, is often called the "Red Planet" because of its reddish appearance
caused by iron oxide on its surface. It's a prime candidate for future human exploration.
- Distance from Sun: 227.9 million km
- Orbital Period: 687 Earth days
- Moons: 2 (Phobos, Deimos)
Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It's known for its massive size, Great Red Spot (a
giant storm), and many moons, including the four largest: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
- Distance from Sun: 778.5 million km
- Orbital Period: 12 Earth years
- Moons: 79 (4 major: Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto)
Saturn
Saturn is famous for its stunning ring system, which is made up of ice and rock. It's the second-largest
planet in the solar system and has numerous moons, including Titan, its largest.
- Distance from Sun: 1.43 billion km
- Orbital Period: 29 Earth years
- Moons: 83 (Titan being the largest)
Uranus
Uranus is unique for its sideways rotation and faint ring system. It's an ice giant with a frigid
atmosphere composed mainly of hydrogen, helium, and methane.
- Distance from Sun: 2.87 billion km
- Orbital Period: 84 Earth years
- Moons: 27
Neptune
Neptune, the furthest planet from the Sun, is a deep blue ice giant. Its most prominent feature is the
Great Dark Spot, a storm system similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
- Distance from Sun: 4.5 billion km
- Orbital Period: 165 Earth years
- Moons: 14 (Triton being the largest)