What Are The 12 Planets in Order?

Introduction

As we all know, there are eight planets in our solar system orbiting around the sun. However, with the discovery of new celestial bodies and advancements in technology, astronomers have come across more than just nine planets. In this article, we will discuss the 12 planets in order of their distance from the sun.

The 12 planets in order

1. Mercury - The closest planet to the sun and the smallest planet in our solar system. It has a rocky surface and no atmosphere. Its distance from the sun is approximately 57.9 million kilometers.

2. Venus - The second planet from the sun. It is known for being the hottest planet in our solar system due to its thick, toxic atmosphere that traps heat. Venus is sometimes called Earth''s sister planet because of its similar size, mass and composition. Its distance from the sun is approximately 108 million kilometers.

3. Earth - The third planet from the sun. It is the only known planet with life, and its distance from the sun is approximately 150 million kilometers.

4. Mars - The fourth planet from the sun. It is also known as the Red Planet due to its reddish appearance. It has polar ice caps, canyons, and volcanoes, and its distance from the sun is approximately 228 million kilometers.

5. Ceres - The first dwarf planet on our list, located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It has a spherical shape and was classified as a dwarf planet in 2006. Its distance from the sun is approximately 414 million kilometers.

6. Jupiter - The largest planet in our solar system, known for its distinctive colorful stripes and swirling storms. It has more than 80 moons, and its distance from the sun is approximately 778 million kilometers.

7. Saturn - The second-largest planet in our solar system, known for its beautiful rings made of ice particles and dust. It has more than 80 moons and is the lightest planet in our solar system. Its distance from the sun is approximately 1.4 billion kilometers.

8. Uranus - The first ice giant on our list, with a mostly hydrogen and helium atmosphere and a blue-green color due to the presence of methane gas. It has 27 known moons and is tilted on its side, possibly due to a collision with a massive object in the past. Its distance from the sun is approximately 2.9 billion kilometers.

9. Neptune - The fourth and final gas giant on our list, known for its windy and stormy atmosphere. It has 14 known moons and is the farthest planet from the sun. Its distance from the sun is approximately 4.5 billion kilometers.

10. Pluto - The second dwarf planet on our list and the only one to have been visited by a spacecraft. It is located in the Kuiper Belt, a region outside Neptune''s orbit that is full of icy objects. It was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006. Its distance from the sun is approximately 5.9 billion kilometers.

11. Haumea - A dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt. It has a strange elongated shape, likely caused by its rapid rotation. Its distance from the sun is approximately 6.5 billion kilometers.

12. Makemake - The final dwarf planet on our list and the smallest in the Kuiper Belt. It has a reddish color and is one of the largest objects in the Kuiper Belt. Its distance from the sun is approximately 6.8 billion kilometers.

Conclusion

In summary, there are not just eight, but 12 planets in our solar system. The discovery of new planets and advancements in technology have helped us to better understand the vastness of our universe. Each planet is unique in its own way, and studying them can reveal more about the history and formation of our solar system.