1. By: Kelly Just

2. The Solar System Consists of the Sun, nine planets, satellites and small bodies. The inner solar system consists of the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars The outer solar system consists of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto The nine planets orbit around the Sun

3. The Sun The Sun is the largest object in our solar system. It is the center of the solar system. It is the closest star to Earth. The Suns satellites are the nine planets.

4. Mercury It is the closest planet to the sun. Mercury’s surface resembles the moon. It has no satellites. Mercury has only been visited by the Mariner 10 spacecraft.

5. Venus Venus is the second planet in the solar system. It is the hottest planet because of its thick atmosphere. It is the brightest planet in our solar system. Venus has no satellites

6. Earth Earth is the third planet form the sun. It is the only known planet with life. Earth has one satellite, the Moon. 71 percent of the surface is covered with water. It is the only planet with water in liquid form.

7. Mars It is the fourth planet form the Sun. Known as the planet of war because it is red. Has two satellites that orbit close to the surface.

8. Jupiter It is the largest planet in the solar system. It is a gas planet. Known for the Great Red Spot (a storm). Jupiter has 61 known satellites and many more are being found.

9. Saturn It is the sixth planet form the sun and the second larges. The least dense of all the planets. Known for the icy, rocky rings that orbit the planet. Has over 30 known and named satellites.

10. Uranus Is the seventh planet from the Sun. Spins on a axis perpendicular to the ecliptic. Uranus has rings but spin vertically. Has 27 known satellites.

11. Neptune It is the eighth planet form the sun. Its orbit is oval shaped so sometimes it is the furthest planet from the Sun. Has faint rings but its composition is unknown. Has 13 known satellites.

12. Pluto The futhest planet form the Sun. The smallest planet in our solar system. The only planet that has not been visited by spacecraft. Only known satellite is Charon.

13. Future Research If you would like to learn more on the planets in the solar system please visit some websites: http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome.htm http://www.nasm.si.edu