Science & Earth · Updated September 2026
Solar system planets
There are eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Pluto is a dwarf planet. Order, types, and why the count changed in 2006.
The solar system has eight planets. In order from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. A useful memory line is “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles.”
Pluto was classed as a planet from 1930 until 2006. The International Astronomical Union then created the dwarf-planet category. Pluto still exists and is worth studying; it is no longer one of the eight.
The inner four are rocky. The next four are giant worlds — Jupiter and Saturn are gas giants; Uranus and Neptune are ice giants. Earth is the only planet known to have liquid water on the surface and life.
Solar system planets — key facts (2026)
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Planet count (2026) | 8 |
| Dwarf planets (examples) | Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, Makemake |
| Largest planet | Jupiter |
| Smallest planet | Mercury |
| Hottest planet | Venus (thick atmosphere), not Mercury |
| Closest to the Sun | Mercury |
| Star at the centre | The Sun — a G-type star |
| IAU planet vote | 2006 |
Figures are the usual classroom and news-desk numbers for 2026. Border disputes and membership votes can change a count by one or two.
People also ask
Why is Pluto not a planet?
It has not cleared its orbital neighbourhood of other objects, one of the three IAU tests. It is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt.
Which planet is closest to Earth?
On average Venus is the closest neighbour. Mercury can be closer at times. Mars is the usual “next destination” in news stories.
How many moons does Earth have?
One — the Moon. Jupiter and Saturn have dozens of confirmed moons.