The solar system is an amazing place full of different space objects, including planets that travel around our sun. Let’s learn about what planets are, the types of planets, and discover some cool facts about each of the eight main planets in our solar system.
Planets are big, round objects that move in a path called an “orbit” around the sun. They are shaped like a ball, which is why we say they are spherical.
There are two main kinds of planets in our solar system:
Let’s learn some fun facts about the eight primary planets in our solar system:
Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. It’s super hot, with temperatures that can be four times hotter than boiling water! It’s the smallest planet and is made of rock.
Venus is similar in size to Earth, so it’s called Earth’s twin. It’s covered with thick, yellow clouds that make it always cloudy. Venus is the second planet from the sun and is closest to Earth.
Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only one we know that has life. It has big oceans and lots of different living things. Earth is a rocky planet and has one moon.
Mars is known as the “Red Planet” because it looks reddish. It’s the fourth planet from the sun and is colder than Earth. Scientists are curious about Mars because they want to know if there was ever life there. Mars has volcanoes, valleys, and two small moons.
Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system and is a gas giant. It’s so big that all the other planets could fit inside it! Jupiter has at least 63 moons and a famous storm called the Great Red Spot.
Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings made mostly of ice. It’s the sixth planet from the sun and is another gas giant with 62 moons. You can see Saturn from Earth without a telescope!
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun and is special because it spins on its side. It’s made of gas and liquid and has 27 moons. Uranus also has faint rings that might be from broken moons.
Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun. It’s known for its strong storms and super-fast winds. Like Uranus, Neptune is a gas planet and has 14 moons. It was discovered in 1846.
Planets are round objects that orbit the sun. They can be primary planets or dwarf planets. The eight primary planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The first four are rocky, and the last four are gas giants. Learning about these planets helps us understand the wonders of our solar system. Now, you’re ready to share your planet knowledge with others!
