1. Our solar system is made up of the Sun and all the objects that orbit it.

2. A planet is a large body of rock or gas that orbits the sun.

3. Planets do not produce their own light. They reflect the sun’s light, which is what we see.

4. Each planet is a different size. Some are smaller than Earth, some are larger.

5. Planets are divided into two groups: the inner planets and outer planets.

6. Inner Planets The four planets closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars Small and made up of solid, rocklike materials. Warmer than the outer planets

7. Mercury The closest planet to the sun.

8. Venus Covered in clouds

9. Earth Our home! It’s the only planet with liquid water.

10. Mars Has some water, but most of it is frozen ice. Nicknamed the “red planet” because of its reddish rocks and soil.

11. Outer Planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto Made up of mostly gases except for Pluto. Pluto is a mixture of rocky materials and frozen gases. Colder than the inner planets.

12. Jupiter The largest planet in the solar system The Great Red Spot

13. Saturn Thousands of beautiful rings orbit the planet and are made up of bits of ice and rock

14. Uranus Called the “Sideways Planet” because it rotates on its side

15. Neptune Has a Great Dark Spot similar to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.

16. Pluto Little is known about Pluto because is is the farthest planet away from Earth. Made up of a mixture of rocky materials and frozen gases.