There are eight major classified planets in the solar system. In order of distance from the sun, they are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto is a ninth Dwarf Planet.
Each planet has its own unique features, from Mercury’s miniature size to Neptune’s giant storms.
The planets also vary widely in their potential for life. While some, like Venus, are incredibly hostile to life as we know it, others, like Earth, are teeming with life.
The solar system also contains a number of smaller bodies, including asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.
Some of them, like comets, which are made of volatile ices. Others, like meteoroids, are pieces of rock that have broken off of larger bodies like asteroids or planets.
However, these are not considered to be planets. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the organization responsible for classifying objects in the solar system.
The (IAU) currently defines a planet as a celestial body that orbits the sun, is massive enough to be spherical in shape, and has a gravitational field which has an orbit that is clear of any similar sized objects.
Many people ask the question whether or not Pluto is considered a planet.
In a related post, we have that question covered in detail where we cover the most common questions about Pluto.
For quick reference, the eight planets in the solar system plus Pluto (A Dwarf Planet) are as follows (in order of distance from the sun):
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
- Pluto
An easy way to remember the planet names is achieved by using a mnemonic sentence.
Here’s what it looks like: My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine Pancakes! ⏩⏬
- My = Mercury
- Very = Venus
- Earnest = Earth
- Mother = Mars
- Just = Jupiter
- Served = Saturn
- Us = Uranus
- Nine = Neptune
- Pancakes = Pluto – Reclassified in 2006 as a Dwarf Planet.
What are the Planets in the Solar System?
Lets take an interesting further look at the 9 planets in the solar system as they appear in order of distance from the Sun. ⏩⏬
1.) Mercury: The smallest and innermost planet
Mercury is the smallest planet and is closest to the sun. Mercury is only slightly larger than Earth’s moon. It has a very thin atmosphere and is covered in craters. It has no moons.
2.) Venus: The second planet from the sun in our solar system
Venus is the second planet from the sun. It is similar in size to Earth and has a thick atmosphere.
However, Venus is much hotter than Earth due to its proximity to the sun and its thick atmosphere. Venus has no moons.
As the second planet from the sun. It is sometimes called the Earth’s twin because it is similar in size.
However, Venus has a very different climate. It has very hot temperatures and sulphuric acidic rain. However, despite being very corrosive, this acidic rain never reaches the surface. Venus also has very active volcanoes.
3.) Earth: The third planet from the sun
Earth is the third planet from the sun. It is the only planet known to support life. The Earth has one moon.
It is the largest of the terrestrial planets (or the 4 innermost planets: Earth, Mars, Venus and Mercury) and has one moon. Earth has a thin atmosphere and is covered in oceans of water.
4.) Mars: The fourth planet from the sun
Mars is smaller than Earth and has a very thin atmosphere. It is covered in red dust and has mountains and canyons.
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. It is red because of all the iron oxide on its surface. Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos.
5.) Jupiter: The fifth planet from the sun in our solar system
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It has a thick atmosphere and is mostly made of gas. It also has many moons.
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun. Jupiter is huge! It is twice as big as all of the other planets combined! Jupiter also has a faint ring system.
Jupiter is a gas giant with many moons. Jupiter’s largest moon, Io, has active volcanoes.
6.) Saturn: The sixth planet from the sun
Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun. Like Jupiter, it has a ring system that can be seen from Earth with a telescope. Saturn’s rings are made of ice and rock particles.
Saturn is similar to Jupiter but smaller. It has a thick atmosphere and is mostly made of gas. It also has many moons and rings made of ice.
Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun. It is a gas giant with many moons. Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, has an atmosphere similar to that of Earth’s early atmosphere.
7.) Uranus: The seventh planet from the sun in our solar system
Uranus is much smaller than Jupiter and Saturn. It has a thin atmosphere and is mostly made of gas. It also has many moons.
Uranus is seventh planet from the sun. Uranus was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel.
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun. It is a gas giant with many moons. Uranus has two sets of rings around it made up of small rocks and dust particles.
It was originally thought to be a star because it appears blue-green in color. Uranus has 27 moons, more than any other planet in our solar system!
8.) Neptune: The eighth planet from the sun
Neptune is the eighth and final planet from the sun. It is a gas giant with many moons.
Neptune has an active weather system with large storms that can be seen from Earth with a telescope
Neptune is similar to Uranus but smaller. It has a thin atmosphere and is mostly made of gas.
Neptune was discovered in 1846 by Johann Galle. Its atmosphere contains methane gas, which makes it appear blue in color
9.) Pluto – A beloved dwarf planet
Pluto is a small, rocky world orbiting in the outer reaches of the solar system. It’s about half the size of Earth’s moon and has only a fraction of the Earth’s mass.
Pluto was discovered in 1930 by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh and was originally considered to be the ninth major planet from the sun.
But after further study, scientists now believe that Pluto is more similar in size and composition to other objects orbiting in the Kuiper Belt, a region of space beyond Neptune.
In 2006, Pluto was officially re-classified as a “dwarf planet.”
It has a rocky surface with icy plains, and has 5 moons orbiting it.
Summary
There are nine planets in the solar system. In order of distance from the sun, they are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and it is also the smallest planet in the solar system.
Venus is the second planet from the sun, and it is the hottest planet in the solar system.
Earth is the third planet from the sun, and it is the only planet on which humans live.
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, and it is known as the “red planet” because of its red soil. Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun, and it is the largest planet in the solar system.
Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun, and it is known for its beautiful rings.
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun in our solar system and it is often referred to as the “ice giant” because of its cold temperatures.
Neptune is the eighth planet from the sun, and it is known for its strong winds.
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