What Makes Each Planet Unique in Size, Colour, or Moons?

This section introduces the eight planets in our solar system and explains how each one is different in terms of size, colour, number of moons, and other interesting features. These differences make every planet special and help scientists learn more about space.

Mercury

• Size: The smallest planet in the solar system
• Colour: Grey and rocky with many craters
• Moons: No moons
• Unique Feature: It is the closest planet to the Sun and has very hot days and freezing nights

Venus

• Size: Similar in size to Earth
• Colour: Yellowish-white due to thick clouds of gas
• Moons: No moons
• Unique Feature: Venus is the hottest planet because of its thick atmosphere that traps heat

Earth

• Size: Fifth largest planet
• Colour: Blue and green due to oceans and land
• Moons: One moon
• Unique Feature: Earth is the only planet known to support life

Mars

• Size: About half the size of Earth
• Colour: Reddish due to iron-rich soil
• Moons: Two small moons (Phobos and Deimos)
• Unique Feature: Known as the “Red Planet” and may have had water in the past

Jupiter

• Size: The largest planet in the solar system
• Colour: Orange and white with swirling clouds
• Moons: At least 90 known moons
• Unique Feature: Has a Great Red Spot — a giant storm larger than Earth

Saturn

• Size: Second largest planet
• Colour: Pale yellow with visible rings
• Moons: Over 80 moons
• Unique Feature: Famous for its wide and bright rings made of ice and rock

Uranus

• Size: Third largest planet
• Colour: Light blue due to methane gas in its atmosphere
• Moons: More than 25 known moons
• Unique Feature: It rotates on its side, unlike any other planet

Neptune

• Size: Slightly smaller than Uranus
• Colour: Deep blue because of methane and unknown factors
• Moons: Over 10 moons, including Triton
• Unique Feature: Strongest winds in the solar system, with fast-moving storms

Important Facts About the Planets

• All eight planets orbit the Sun in the same direction along nearly the same flat path called the ecliptic plane.
• The four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are made of rock; the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are made mostly of gas and ice.
• Jupiter is so big that more than 1,300 Earths could fit inside it.
• Saturn’s rings are made of ice chunks, some as small as pebbles and others as large as houses.
• Uranus is the only planet that spins on its side — scientists believe this was caused by a massive collision.
• Neptune was the first planet located by mathematical prediction before it was seen through a telescope.
• Venus spins in the opposite direction from most planets — the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

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