The planets of the Solar System
Eight planets travel around the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The four closest to the Sun are small and rocky, and the four farthest away are giant balls of gas and ice. Earth is the third planet and the only one we know that has life.
The Sun at the center
The Sun is a star that sits at the center of our Solar System, and its gravity holds all the planets in their orbits. It is so huge that more than a million Earths could fit inside it, and it gives us the light and warmth that make life possible.
Frequently asked questions
How many planets are in the Solar System?
There are eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Pluto used to be counted as the ninth but is now called a dwarf planet.
Which is the biggest planet?
Jupiter is the biggest planet in the Solar System - so big that all the other planets could fit inside it. The smallest planet is Mercury, which is closest to the Sun.
What is the Solar System for kids?
The Solar System is the Sun and everything that orbits it: eight planets, their moons, and lots of asteroids and comets. The Sun's gravity keeps it all moving around in space.