Around the Sun

There are eight planets in our solar system. They travel in a path around the sun. Here is what you need to know about them.

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. It is the closest planet to the sun. It is hot during the day. It is freezing cold at night.

Venus is very bright. It can sometimes be seen from Earth! Venus is the hottest planet. It is surrounded by poisonous gas.

Earth is our home. It is the third planet from the sun. It is the only one known to support life. Most of Earth is covered by water.

Mars is known as the Red Planet. Why? Iron in its soil gives Mars a reddish color. Scientists are studying Mars for signs of life.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It is made of gas. It has an area called the Great Red Spot. The spot is a huge storm.

Saturn is surrounded by bigger rings than any other planet. They are made of ice, dust, and rock. It also has more than 60 known moons.

Uranus is very cold. It is the only planet that spins on its side. It was the first planet to be discovered using a telescope.

Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun. Like Uranus, it is called an ice giant. The planet has strong winds and big storms.

Did You Know?

Pluto is a dwarf planet. It looks and acts like most planets. But it is smaller. Scientists used to consider it a planet. But that changed in 2006.