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Analysis of planetary surfaces and surface features is a major component of planetary science. Planetary science (or more rarely, planetology) is the scientific study of planets (including Earth), celestial bodies (such as moons, asteroids, comets) and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and
Learn about NASA's missions and research to understand the history and distribution of life in our solar system. Discover the latest news, images, and videos of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and more.
Jul 15, 2024 · Learn about the Sun and the bodies that orbit it, including the planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and interplanetary medium. Explore the composition, origin, evolution, and exploration of the solar system with Britannica.
- The solar system comprises 8 planets, approximately 170 natural planetary satellites (moons), and countless asteroids, meteorites, and comets.
- There are eight planets in the solar system. The four inner terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, all of which consist mainly of...
- The solar system is situated within the Orion-Cygnus Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. Alpha Centauri, made up of the stars Proxima Centauri, Alpha Cent...
- Scientists have multiple theories that explain how the solar system formed. The favoured theory proposes that the solar system formed from a solar...
- Europa and Enceladus, moons of Jupiter and Saturn respectively, are ice-covered rocky objects that scientists think may harbour life in the water b...
The solar system has one star, eight planets, five officially named dwarf planets, 293 planetary moons, about 1.4 million asteroids, and about 4,000 comets (including fragments). Our solar system is located in the Milky Way, a barred spiral galaxy with two major arms, and two minor arms.
Learn about the planets, moons, and other bodies that orbit our Sun, the star at the center of our solar system. Find out how our solar system formed, how big it is, and how it compares to other galaxies.
Learn about the eight planets and five dwarf planets in our solar system, their sizes, locations, temperatures, and features. Explore the facts, images, and stories of each planet and dwarf planet with NASA.
According to the IAU definition, there are eight planets in the Solar System, which are (in increasing distance from the Sun): [2] Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Jupiter is the largest, at 318 Earth masses, whereas Mercury is the smallest, at 0.055 Earth masses.
