Planets of the Solar System

A star and eight planets make up our solar system — one blazing ball of hydrogen and helium at the center, four small rocky worlds close to home, and four giant worlds of gas and ice further out. Pick one below to see HD imagery, key facts, and the details that make it unique.

The Sun, imaged by the SOHO spacecraft

The Sun

The star at the heart of our solar system, holding every planet in orbit.

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Mercury, imaged by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft

Mercury

The smallest planet and the closest to the Sun, scarred by countless craters.

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Venus, imaged by NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft

Venus

The hottest planet in the solar system, wrapped in thick, toxic clouds.

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Earth, our home planet, seen from space

Earth

Our home, and the only known planet with liquid water on its surface.

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Mars, the Red Planet

Mars

The Red Planet — cold, dry, and currently home to robotic explorers.

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Jupiter, imaged by NASA's Juno spacecraft

Jupiter

The largest planet in the solar system, famous for its Great Red Spot.

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Saturn and its rings, imaged by NASA's Cassini spacecraft

Saturn

Instantly recognizable for its spectacular system of icy rings.

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Uranus, imaged by NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft

Uranus

An ice giant that spins on its side, with a faint system of rings.

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Neptune, imaged by NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft

Neptune

The most distant planet, dark and cold with supersonic winds.

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Pluto, imaged by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft

Pluto

A dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, famous for its icy heart-shaped plain.

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