EIGHT PLANETS
There are eight recognized planets in our solar system. Pluto, which was previously considered the ninth planet, was reclassified as a “dwarf planet” by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006. Here are the details about the eight planets in the solar system:
- Mercury:
- Distance from the Sun: 57.9 million km (36 million miles)
- Diameter: 4,879 km (3,032 miles)
- Orbital Period: 88 days
- Rotation Period: 58.6 days
- Characteristics: Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system and the closest to the Sun. It has a heavily cratered surface and no atmosphere to retain heat, making it extremely hot during the day and cold at night.
- Venus:
- Distance from the Sun: 108.2 million km (67.2 million miles)
- Diameter: 12,104 km (7,521 miles)
- Orbital Period: 225 days
- Rotation Period: 243 days (retrograde rotation)
- Characteristics: Venus is often called Earth’s “sister planet” due to its similar size and composition. It has a thick atmosphere mainly composed of carbon dioxide, causing a runaway greenhouse effect that makes it the hottest planet in our solar system.
- Earth:
- Distance from the Sun: 149.6 million km (93 million miles)
- Diameter: 12,742 km (7,917 miles)
- Orbital Period: 365.25 days
- Rotation Period: 24 hours
- Characteristics: Earth is the only known planet to support life. It has a diverse atmosphere with oxygen and water, allowing for a wide range of life forms to exist.
- Mars:
- Distance from the Sun: 227.9 million km (141.6 million miles)
- Diameter: 6,779 km (4,212 miles)
- Orbital Period: 687 days
- Rotation Period: 24.6 hours
- Characteristics: Mars is often called the “Red Planet” due to its reddish appearance caused by iron oxide on its surface. It has a thin atmosphere primarily composed of carbon dioxide and water ice in its polar regions.
- Jupiter:
- Distance from the Sun: 778.3 million km (483.8 million miles)
- Diameter: 139,822 km (86,881 miles)
- Orbital Period: 11.9 years
- Rotation Period: About 9.9 hours (equator)
- Characteristics: Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and is known for its distinctive bands and the Great Red Spot, a massive storm. It is a gas giant primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
- Saturn:
- Distance from the Sun: 1.4 billion km (886 million miles)
- Diameter: 116,464 km (72,367 miles)
- Orbital Period: 29.5 years
- Rotation Period: About 10.7 hours (equator)
- Characteristics: Saturn is famous for its beautiful and prominent ring system, which is made up of ice and rock particles. It is also a gas giant similar in composition to Jupiter.
- Uranus:
- Distance from the Sun: 2.9 billion km (1.8 billion miles)
- Diameter: 50,724 km (31,518 miles)
- Orbital Period: 84 years
- Rotation Period: About 17.2 hours (equator)
- Characteristics: Uranus is an ice giant and is known for its extreme tilt on its rotational axis, causing it to appear to roll on its side. It has a bluish-green appearance due to the presence of methane in its atmosphere.
- Neptune:
- Distance from the Sun: 4.5 billion km (2.8 billion miles)
- Diameter: 49,244 km (30,598 miles)
- Orbital Period: 165 years
- Rotation Period: About 16.1 hours (equator)
- Characteristics: Neptune is the farthest known planet in our solar system. It is also an ice giant with a deep blue color due to the presence of methane in its atmosphere.
Each of these planets has its unique characteristics and plays a vital role in the dynamics of our solar system.