The planets at a glance

In short: Our solar system has eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The inner four are rocky planets, the outer four gas and ice giants.

In more detail: Pluto has been regarded as a dwarf planet since 2006.

In detail

• Mercury: Smallest planet, closest to the sun, extreme temperature differences.
• Venus: Dense atmosphere, greenhouse effect, around 460 degrees (treibhauseffekt).
• Earth: Liquid water and life.
• Mars: Red from iron oxide, thin atmosphere, traces of water (mars-und-raumfahrt).
• Jupiter: Largest planet, Great Red Spot, many moons.
• Saturn: Conspicuous rings of ice and rock.
• Uranus and Neptune: Ice giants, icy cold; Uranus lies “on its side”.
• Dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Eris (sonnensystem).