The Solar System

1. Mercury
● Distance from the Sun: Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Surface: Mountain and rocky.
○ Temperature Extremes: Very hot during the day (up to 427°C) due to being
close to the Sun. Nights are cold ( -179°C).
○ Atmosphere: Virtually no atmosphere to keep heat inside.
○ No Moons: Mercury does not have any moons.

2. Venus
● Distance from the Sun: Venus is the second planet from the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Atmosphere: Thick and primarily composed of carbon dioxide.
○ Surface: Covered in volcanoes, mountains.
○ No Moons: Venus has no natural moons.

3. Earth
● Distance from the Sun: Earth is the third planet from the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Life-Supporting: Our home planet! Supports a wide variety of life forms
due to its moderate climate, liquid water, and diverse ecosystems.
○ Atmosphere: Contains oxygen, nitrogen, and other gasses necessary for
life.
○ Moons: Earth has one Moon.
○ Geological Activity: Plains, mountains, oceans, and continents.

4. Mars
● Distance from the Sun: Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Reddish Appearance: Often called the “Red Planet” due to its iron-rich soil.
○ Thin Atmosphere: Contains carbon dioxide..
○ Largest Volcanoes on surface.

5. Jupiter
● Distance from the Sun: Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Gas Giant: it has gases hydrogen and helium.
○ Distinctive Bands: Colorful cloud bands.
○ Moons: Over 80 moons.
 ○ Strong Magnetic Field: Jupiter’s magnetic field is the strongest of all
planets.

6. Saturn
● Distance from the Sun: Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Ring System: Known for its magnificent ring system made of icy particles
and dust.
○ Gas Giant: Has a solid core surrounded by layers of gas.
○ Moons: More than 80 moons.

7. Uranus
● Distance from the Sun: Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Blue-Green Color: Due to methane in its atmosphere.
○ Opposite Rotation: Rotates opposite to most planets.
○ Moons: 27 moons.

8. Neptune
● Distance from the Sun: Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun.
● Characteristics:
○ Deep Blue Color: Methane gives it a blue color
○ Stormy Atmosphere: Strong winds and dark storms.
○ Moons: 14 moons.
○ Fastest Winds: Neptune has the fastest winds in the solar system.