Our solar system is a beautiful and special place, consisting of the sun and the eight planets that orbit around it. Each of these planets has unique characteristics and offers countless interesting facts to discover. In this blog post, we will explore the planets in order of their distance from the sun, discuss their main characteristics, and share some fascinating facts about each planet. This guide is perfect for children and anyone who wants to learn more about our solar system.
Planet Order in our Solar System
The planets in our solar system are arranged based on their distance from the sun. The order is as follows:
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
In the image below, you can see the planets. Mercury is closest to the sun.
Mercury
Characteristics:
- Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system.
- It has no atmosphere, which means temperatures vary extremely between day and night.
- Mercury has a rocky surface full of craters, similar to our moon.
Interesting facts:
- Mercury orbits the sun the fastest, with an orbital period of just 88 days.
- Despite its proximity to the sun, Mercury is not the hottest planet; that honor goes to Venus.
Venus
Characteristics:
- Venus has a thick, toxic atmosphere primarily composed of carbon dioxide.
- Venus’s surface is covered with volcanoes and dense clouds of sulfuric acid.
- Venus rotates in the opposite direction of most planets, a movement called retrograde rotation.
Interesting facts:
- Venus is often called the “sister planet” of Earth due to their similar size and composition.
- Venus has the highest temperatures in our solar system, with surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead.
Earth
Characteristics:
- Earth is the only planet in our solar system with liquid water on its surface.
- It has an atmosphere containing oxygen, making life as we know it possible.
- Earth has one natural satellite, the Moon.
Interesting facts:
- 70% of Earth’s surface is covered with water.
- Earth’s atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation and meteoroids.
Mars
Characteristics:
- Mars is known as the “Red Planet” due to its iron oxide-rich soil giving it a reddish color.
- The planet has the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons.
- Mars has a thin atmosphere, primarily composed of carbon dioxide.
Interesting facts:
- Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos.
- Scientists believe there was liquid water on Mars in the past, and they are still searching for signs of ancient life.
Jupiter
Characteristics:
- Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.
- It is a gas giant, primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
- Jupiter has a famous Great Red Spot, a gigantic storm that has been raging for at least 400 years.
Interesting facts:
- Jupiter has at least 79 moons, with Ganymede being the largest.
- The planet has a powerful magnetic field and radiation belts.
Saturn
Characteristics:
- Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings, which are primarily composed of ice particles and rock fragments.
- It is also a gas giant and is similar to Jupiter in composition.
- Saturn is the second-largest planet in our solar system.
Interesting facts:
- Saturn has at least 83 moons, including Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury.
- Saturn’s rings are thousands of kilometers wide but only about 10 meters thick on average.
Uranus
Characteristics:
- Uranus has a unique tilt, causing it to orbit the sun almost on its side.
- It is an ice giant, with an atmosphere primarily composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane.
- Uranus has a blue-green color due to the methane gas in its atmosphere.
Interesting facts:
- Uranus has at least 27 moons and 13 known rings.
- The planet has an extremely cold atmosphere with temperatures dropping to -224 degrees Celsius.
Neptune
Characteristics:
- Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun.
- It is also an ice giant and has strong winds, the fastest in the solar system.
- Neptune has a deep blue color due to the presence of methane gas in its atmosphere.
Interesting Facts:
- Neptune has 14 known moons, with Triton being the largest.
- The planet was discovered through mathematical predictions before it was directly observed.
Comparing Planets: a Journey through Variation
By comparing planets, you truly discover how diverse our solar system is. The four inner planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars – are primarily composed of rock and metals, while the outer planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune – are gigantic balls of gas or ice. Each of these worlds has unique characteristics: from storms that rage for centuries to temperatures that freeze or burn everything. By placing them side by side, you learn not only about their differences but especially about what they tell us about planetary formation and evolution.
The Discovery of Planets: from Eye to Telescope
Thousands of years ago, people looked up and saw five “stars” that moved differently from the rest: the visible planets. These ancient observations formed the beginning of a long journey of discovery. Thanks to the invention of the telescope in the 17th century, it became possible to look further than ever before. Uranus, Neptune, and later dwarf planets like Pluto were discovered. And with modern spacecraft, we now see details that were once unimaginable.
Moons: Small Worlds with Big Stories
Not only planets are fascinating — their moons tell equally special stories. Think of Io, Jupiter’s volcanically active moon, or Europa, possibly having an ocean beneath its ice. Even our own Moon continues to amaze scientists. In total, our solar system has more than 200 known moons, each with its own geological and atmospheric secrets.
Ready to View Planets Yourself?
With a telescope, you’ll see more than just points of light:
✓ Saturn’s rings
✓ Jupiter’s cloud bands AND its four largest moons
✓ Venus’s phases
✓ craters and seas on our Moon
✓ and in good conditions, even Mars’s disk
Visit our page with telescopes for beginners for carefully selected models that let you explore the planets in our solar system right away.
Keep an eye on our blog page – we publish three new articles every week full of insights, tips, and surprising facts for every star enthusiast.
