Planets and Their Characteristics

1. Mercury
   • Closest planet to the Sun

   • Very hot during the day, very cold at night

   • Smallest planet

   • Has no atmosphere

2. Venus
   • Second planet from the Sun

   • Very thick and hot atmosphere (mostly carbon dioxide)

   • Known as Earth’s “sister planet” because it is similar in size

   • Has many volcanoes

3. Earth
   • Third planet from the Sun

   • Only planet known to support life

   • Has water in all three forms: solid, liquid, gas

   • Has a protective atmosphere with oxygen

4. Mars
   • Fourth planet from the Sun

   • Known as the “Red Planet” because of iron oxide (rust) on its surface

   • Has the tallest volcano and largest canyon in the solar system

   • Has thin atmosphere mostly carbon dioxide

1. Jupiter
   • Fifth planet from the Sun

   • Largest planet in the solar system

   • Mostly made of gas (gas giant)

   • Has a giant red storm called the Great Red Spot

   • Has many moons (over 70)

2. Saturn
   • Sixth planet from the Sun

   • Known for its beautiful rings made of ice and rock

   • Second largest planet

   • Also a gas giant like Jupiter

3. Uranus
   • Seventh planet from the Sun

   • Has a blue-green color because of methane gas in its atmosphere

   • Rotates on its side (tilted axis)

   • Ice giant with cold temperatures

4. Neptune
   • Eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun

   • Blue in color due to methane gas

   • Very cold and windy planet

Has strong storms and fast winds