SYSTEM
OUR COSMIC NEIGHBORHOOD

The Solar System

Eight planets orbit our Sun. Explore real spacecraft imagery, key facts and the stories behind each world.

Explore the planets
THE EIGHT PLANETS

Meet our planetary neighbors

Click any planet for a concise profile with facts, atmosphere, temperature and exploration history.

SOLAR SYSTEM MAP

Explore the Solar System

Watch the planets move around the Sun. Click a planet for more information.

Sun
The orbital distances are shown schematically and are not to scale.
4.6billion yearsApproximate age of the Solar System
8planetsFour rocky worlds and four giant planets
230MyearsOne orbit of the Sun around the Milky Way
1known habitable worldEarth is the only world known to host life
BEYOND THE PLANETS

The Solar System is much more than eight worlds.

Kuiper Belt

A distant region beyond Neptune filled with icy bodies, including Pluto.

Comets

Ancient mixtures of ice, dust and rock that develop spectacular tails near the Sun.

Voyager

Voyager 1 and 2 are exploring interstellar space after visiting the outer planets.