The Solar System

The Solar System consists of those celestial bodies and the sun, which are all bound by gravity. Included in the solar system are eight planets and the one hundred and sixty six moons belonging to these planets.

The planets in the solar system are:

Mercury – This is smallest and innermost planet in the solar system. This planet orbits the sun every eighty eight days. This planet is heavily cratered and has no substantial atmosphere or natural satellites.
Venus - This is the second closest planet to the sun and it orbits every 224 days. Besides for the moon this planet is the brightest natural object in the sky. The surface has been observed and it has been found that Venus has extensive volcanism and sulphur in the atmosphere.
Earth – This is the third planet from the sun. This planet is home to millions of living species, including humans. This is the only planet that is known to be able to sustain life. Scientific evidence has proven that earth was formed over four billion years ago.
Mars – The fourth closest planet to the sun. The planets itself was named Mars after the Roman god of war. It has also be been referred to as the red planet because of its reddish appearance.
Jupiter – This is the largest planet within the solar system and is the fifth planet from the sun. It is two and half times larger and then all the other planets in the solar system combined. Jupiter is primarily composed of hydrogen with a minute portion of helium.
Saturn - Is the sixth planet from the sun. It is named after the Roman god Saturnus. This planet is surrounded by a thick blanket of hydrogen. The atmosphere is generally bland in appearance.
Uranus – The seventh planet from the sun and it is the third largest and the fourth most massive planet in the solar system.
Neptune – is the farthest planet form the sun. This was the first planet found by mathematical prediction in 1846. The atmosphere of this planet is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
Pluto has now been demoted from a planet, however many people feel that Pluto is still a very interesting and important part of the solar system.

There are many moons that orbit the various planets.