Solar System
The Solar System
The Sun
A giant ball of hot gases.
Provides light and heat to all planets.
It is at the center of the solar system.
The Planets
There are 8 planets in the solar system. They revolve around the Sun in fixed paths called orbits.
Planets of the Solar System (in order from the Sun)
Mercury
Order from the Sun: 1st
Key Feature: Smallest planet
Venus
Order from the Sun: 2nd
Key Feature: Hottest planet, similar to Earth
Earth
Order from the Sun: 3rd
Key Feature: Only planet with life
Mars
Order from the Sun: 4th
Key Feature: Known as the Red Planet
Jupiter
Order from the Sun: 5th
Key Feature: Largest planet
Saturn
Order from the Sun: 6th
Key Feature: Has beautiful rings
Uranus
Order from the Sun: 7th
Key Feature: Rotates on its side
Neptune
Order from the Sun: 8th
Key Feature: Farthest from the Sun
Other Members of the Solar System
Moon – Earth's natural satellite.
Asteroids – Small rocky bodies, mostly found between Mars and Jupiter (in the asteroid belt).
Comets – Made of ice and dust, have bright tails.
Dwarf Planets – Smaller planets like Pluto.
Meteoroids – Small pieces of rock or metal in space.
Fun Facts
A day on Jupiter is only about 10 hours long!
Earth takes 365 days to go around the Sun.
Neptune is so far, it takes 165 years to complete one orbit.