Astronomy & space · Grades 3–8

Solar system · Quick reference

Reference sheet for Grades 3 to 8: order of the planets, rocky planets and giant planets and planet facts. Learn the eight planets in order from the Sun; the four rocky planets come first, then the four giants.

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Rule and key idea

Order of the planets

Learn the eight planets in order from the Sun; the four rocky planets come first, then the four giants.

Mercury · Venus · Earth · Mars · Jupiter · Saturn · Uranus · Neptune

Which planet is closer to the Sun: Jupiter or Mercury? → Mercury

Rocky planets and giant planets

The four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are rocky. The four outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are giants made mostly of gases and ices.

inner 4 = rocky · outer 4 = giants

Which is a giant planet: Uranus or Mercury? → Uranus

Planet facts

Each planet has features that help identify it: size, colour, rings, temperature and distance from the Sun.

How many planets are in our solar system? → 8

Check yourself

Four practice questions on this topic. Try each one before you open the answer.

Which planet is the only one known to have liquid water oceans on its surface and living things?
- Mars
- Earth
- Venus
Show the answer
Earth Earth is the only planet known to have surface oceans and life.
Which is a rocky (terrestrial) planet: Jupiter or Venus?
- Venus
- Jupiter
Show the answer
Venus The four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are rocky. The four outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are giants made mostly of gases and ices.
What is the Sun?
- a comet
- a moon
- a planet
- a star
Show the answer
a star The Sun is a star at the centre of our solar system.
Which is a giant planet: Jupiter or Venus?
- Venus
- Jupiter
Show the answer
Jupiter The four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are rocky. The four outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are giants made mostly of gases and ices.