Exploring Our Solar System

From Mercury to Neptune, our solar system is made up of eight unique planets that orbit our Sun. Our solar system is just one of countless others within the Milky Way galaxy. Zoom out even further, and the Milky Way is only one of potentially trillions of galaxies scattered across the vastness of space. While there's still so much left to discover, let’s start with what we know. Though humans have only ventured as far as Earth's moon, this interactive experience will take you on a journey through our solar system.

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an image of the sun
an image of mercury

Mercury

Mercury is a terrestrial planet with a solid, rocky surface.

QUICK FACTS

  • Mercury has a very thin atmosphere, so it is unable to retain heat. Daytime temperatures can reach up to 800°F, while nighttime temperatures can drop to -290°F.
  • It only takes Mercury 88 days to orbit around the sun, making it the planet in our solar system with the shortest orbit.
  • As the smallest plant in our solar system, Mercury is only slightly larger than Earth's moon.
an image of venus

Venus

Venus is covered with dense clouds, and its surface is volcanic and mountainous.

QUICK FACTS

  • Venus is our solar system's hottest planet because its thick clouds trap heat.
  • Venus is often called "Earth's evil twin." Approximately 30 miles from the planet's surface, moderate temperatures on Venus have the potential to house earth-like life, and atmospheric pressure at this height is similar to the pressure humans live under on Earth's surface.
  • Venus rotates in the opposite direction to Earth. The Sun rises in the west and sets in the east.
an image of earth

Earth

Earth is the only planet known to support human life due to its liquid water and breathable atmosphere.

QUICK FACTS

  • About 70% of Earth's surface is covered by oceans.
  • The balance of the atmosphere on earth is what sustains human life. It is mostly composed of nitrogen, but it also contains plenty of oxygen and a small percentage of other inputs.
  • Earth's atmosphere effectively prevents life from meteoroids as they are broken up in our atmosphere before they hit Earth's surface.
an image of mars

Mars

Mars is known as the "Red Planet" due to rusting iron minerals on the planet's surface.

QUICK FACTS

  • Mars is the only planet where scientists have sent rovers.
  • Scientists have found evidence that, billions of years ago, Mars could have had the potential for earth-like life because the planet was much warmer and wetter with a thicker atmosphere.
  • NASA has plans to send humans to Mars for exploration as early as the 2030s.
an image of jupiter

Jupiter

Jupiter is characterized by its hefty mass and size and its giant red spot.

QUICK FACTS

  • Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a mass more than twice that of all the other planets combined.
  • The "Great Red Spot" on Jupiter is a very large storm on the planet that has been raging for hundreds of years.
  • Days on Jupiter last just under 10 hours - the shortest of any planet's day length in our solar system.
an image of saturn

Saturn

Saturn is famous for its extensive ring system made of ice, rock, and dust particles.

QUICK FACTS

  • Similar to the sun, Saturn is mostly composed of hydrogen and helium. Saturn is a gas giant alongside Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune.
  • Saturn has 274 known moons in its orbit.
  • Saturn is less dense than water. If there was a bath tub big enough to fit Saturn, the planet would float atop the water.
an image of uranus

Uranus

Uranus is icy cold and windy, surrounded by faint rings and 28 moons.

QUICK FACTS

  • Uranus appears to spin sideways.
  • Uranus is an ice giant, so the planet doesn’t have a literal surface. Uranus is composed of swirling fluids.
  • The small amount of methane in Uranus's atmosphere gives the planet its blue color.
an image of neptune

Neptune

Neptune is dark, cold, and characterized by accelerated winds. It is the last planet in our solar system (2805.5 x 10^6 miles from the sun).

QUICK FACTS

  • Neptune is the only planet in our solar systems that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
  • Neptune has the longest orbital period, taking 59,800 days to orbit the sun.
  • The average temperature on Neptune is -330°F.