Our Solar System

About the Solar System

The planetary system we call home is located in an outer spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy. It consists of our star, the Sun, and everything bound to it by gravity — the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune; dwarf planets such as Pluto; dozens of moons; and millions of asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.

Interactive Mind Map

Explore the structure of the Solar System using the interactive mind map below.

Regions of the Solar System

• Inner Planets: The rocky, terrestrial planets closest to the Sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars).
• Asteroid Belt: A region of space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where most of the asteroids in our Solar System are found.
• Outer Planets: The gas and ice giants that dominate the outer region (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).
• Beyond: The icy regions of the Kuiper Belt and the distant Oort Cloud, home to dwarf planets and comets.