Discover our Solar System

Earth is a planet that revolves around the Sun. Other planets, dwarf planets, and many more celestial bodies travel around the Sun, too. The Sun and everything in space that is bound by its gravitational forces make up our solar system.

Earth

Let's take a quick look at our solar system and the position of the planets compared to the Sun. Click on the planets to begin your exploration. Then answer the questions.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are known as the _________ planets.

small     outer     inner

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Mercury     Earth     Mars

Solar System

Now let's explore Pluto, a dwarf planet. Then answer the questions.

Sometimes Pluto's orbit is closer to the Sun than what planet?

Saturn     Mars     Neptune

What do some astronomers call Pluto and Charon?

meteors     a double planet     stars

Saturn

Did you know that you can see many of our planets with a pair of binoculars? Click on the picture to the left to find out more about viewing the planets. Then answer the questions.

With binoculars you can see the moons of what planet?

Mercury     Jupiter     Venus

When you use binoculars, what planet appears as a crescent?

Mercury     Jupiter     Venus

Click to see how well you did.

Return to Solar System home.

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