This illustration shows the eight planets of our solar system scaled for size compairson. Select a planet tab above to highlight its position and learn more about its characteristics, structure, and role within the solar system.

Mercury is the smallest planet and the closest to the Sun. It has a heavily cratered surface and extreme temperature swings because it has almost no atmosphere to hold heat.

Venus is similar in size to Earth but has a thick, toxic atmosphere and clouds that trap heat. Its surface is hot enough to melt lead, and it rotates very slowly compared with most planets.

Earth is our home planet, known for its abundant water, diverse ecosystems, and life-supporting atmosphere. It's the only planet in the solar system known to harbor life.

Mars, the red planet, is a rocky world with the tallest volcano and deepest canyon in the solar system. It's a key focus for exploration in the search for past or present life.

Jupiter is the largest planet, a gas giant with powerful storms and a faint ring system. Its Great Red Spot is a long-lasting storm, and its many moons make it a mini solar system of its own.

Saturn is famous for its bright rings made of countless ice and rock particles. Like Jupiter, it’s a gas giant with many moons, including Titan, which has a thick atmosphere.

Uranus is an ice giant with a blue-green color caused by gases in its atmosphere. It spins on its side compared to most planets, giving it extreme seasons as it orbits the Sun.

Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun and an ice giant known for fast winds and dark storm systems. Its deep blue appearance comes from its atmosphere, and it has a moon, Triton, with geyser-like activity.