Solar System

The Solar System[a] comprises the Sun and the objects that orbit it, either directly or indirectly.[b] Of those
objects that orbit the Sun directly, the largest eight are the planets[c] that form the planetary system around it,
while the remainder are significantly smaller objects, such as dwarf planets and small Solar System bodies such
as comets and asteroids
Sun
The Sun is the Solar System's star and by far its most massive component. Its large mass (332,900 Earth
masses)[48]produces temperatures and densities in its core high enough to sustain nuclear
fusion of hydrogen into helium, making it amain-sequence star.[49] This releases an enormous amount of energy,
mostly radiated into space as electromagnetic radiation peaking in visible light.[50]
The Sun is a G2-type main-sequence star. Hotter main-sequence stars are more luminous. The Sun's
temperature is intermediate between that of the hottest stars and that of the coolest stars. Stars brighter and
hotter than the Sun are rare, whereas substantially dimmer and cooler stars, known as red dwarfs, make up 85%
of the stars in the Milky Way
Mercury
Main article: Mercury
Mercury (0.4 AU from the Sun) is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest planet in the Solar
System (0.055 Earth masses). Mercury has no natural satellites; besides impact craters, its only known
geological features are lobed ridges orrupes that were probably produced by a period of contraction
early in its history.[68] Mercury's very tenuous atmosphere consists of atoms blasted off its surface by the
solar wind.[69] Its relatively large iron core and thin mantle have not yet been adequately explained.
Hypotheses include that its outer layers were stripped off by a giant impact; or, that it was prevented
from fully accreting by the young Sun's energy.[70][71]
Venus
Main article: Venus
Venus (0.7 AU from the Sun) is close in size to Earth (0.815 Earth masses) and, like Earth, has a thick
silicate mantle around an iron core, a substantial atmosphere, and evidence of internal geological
activity. It is much drier than Earth, and its atmosphere is ninety times as dense. Venus has no natural
satellites. It is the hottest planet, with surface temperatures over 400 C (752F), most likely due to the
amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.[72] No definitive evidence of current geological activity
has been detected on Venus, but it has no magnetic field that would prevent depletion of its substantial
atmosphere, which suggests that its atmosphere is being replenished by volcanic eruptions.[73]
Earth
Main article: Earth

Earth (1 AU from the Sun) is the largest and densest of the inner planets, the only one known to have
current geological activity, and the only place where life is known to exist.[74] Its liquid hydrosphere is
unique among the terrestrial planets, and it is the only planet where plate tectonics has been observed.
Earth's atmosphere is radically different from those of the other planets, having been altered by the
presence of life to contain 21% free oxygen.[75] It has one natural satellite, the Moon, the only large
satellite of a terrestrial planet in the Solar System.
Mars
Main article: Mars
Mars (1.5 AU from the Sun) is smaller than Earth and Venus (0.107 Earth masses). It possesses an
atmosphere of mostly carbon dioxide with a surface pressure of 6.1 millibars (roughly 0.6% of that of
Earth).[76] Its surface, peppered with vast volcanoes, such as Olympus Mons, and rift valleys, such
as Valles Marineris, shows geological activity that may have persisted until as recently as 2 million years
ago.[77] Its red colour comes from iron oxide (rust) in its soil.[78] Mars has two tiny natural satellites
(Deimosand Phobos) thought to be captured asteroids
Jupiter
Main article: Jupiter
Jupiter (5.2 AU), at 318 Earth masses, is 2.5 times the mass of all the other planets put together. It is
composed largely of hydrogenand helium. Jupiter's strong internal heat creates semi-permanent features
in its atmosphere, such as cloud bands and the Great Red Spot. Jupiter has 67 known satellites. The four
largest, Ganymede, Callisto, Io, and Europa, show similarities to the terrestrial planets, such as
volcanism and internal heating.[90] Ganymede, the largest satellite in the Solar System, is larger than
Mercury.
Saturn
Main article: Saturn
Saturn (9.5 AU), distinguished by its extensive ring system, has several similarities to Jupiter, such as its
atmospheric composition and magnetosphere. Although Saturn has 60% of Jupiter's volume, it is less
than a third as massive, at 95 Earth masses, making it the least dense planet in the Solar System.[91] The
rings of Saturn are made up of small ice and rock particles. Saturn has 62 confirmed satellites; two of
which, Titan and Enceladus, show signs of geological activity, though they are largely made of ice.
[92]

Titan, the second-largest moon in the Solar System, is larger than Mercury and the only satellite in

the Solar System with a substantial atmosphere.

the other giant planets and radiates very little heat into space.[93] Uranus has 27 known satellites, the
largest ones being Titania,Oberon, Umbriel, Ariel, and Miranda.
Neptune
Main article: Neptune
Neptune (30.1 AU), though slightly smaller than Uranus, is more massive (equivalent to 17 Earths) and
hence more dense. It radiates more internal heat, but not as much as Jupiter or Saturn.[94] Neptune has 14
known satellites. The largest, Triton, is geologically active, with geysers of liquid nitrogen.[95] Triton is
the only large satellite with aretrograde orbit. Neptune is accompanied in its orbit by several minor
planets, termed Neptune trojans, that are in 1:1 resonance with it.
Comets are small Solar System bodies,[d] typically only a few kilometres across, composed largely of volatile
ices. They have highly eccentric orbits, generally a perihelion within the orbits of the inner planets and an
aphelion far beyond Pluto. When a comet enters the inner Solar System, its proximity to the Sun causes its icy
surface to sublimate and ionise, creating a coma: a long tail of gas and dust often visible to the naked eye.
Short-period comets have orbits lasting less than two hundred years. Long-period comets have orbits lasting
thousands of years. Short-period comets are believed to originate in the Kuiper belt, whereas long-period
comets, such as HaleBopp, are believed to originate in the Oort cloud. Many comet groups, such as the Kreutz
Sungrazers, formed from the breakup of a single parent.[98] Some comets with hyperbolic orbits may originate
outside the Solar System, but determining their precise orbits is difficult.[99] Old comets that have had most of
their volatiles driven out by solar warming are often categorised as asteroids
Inner planets
The inner planets. From left to right: Earth, Mars,Venus, and Mercury (sizes to scale)
The four inner or terrestrial planets have dense, rocky compositions, few or no moons, and no ring systems.
They are composed largely of refractory minerals, such as the silicates, which form their crusts and mantles, and
metals, such as ironand nickel, which form their cores. Three of the four inner planets (Venus, Earth and Mars)
have atmospheres substantial enough to generate weather; all have impact craters and tectonic surface features,
such as rift valleys and volcanoes. The term inner planet should not be confused with inferior planet, which
designates those planets that are closer to the Sun than Earth is (i.e. Mercury and Venus).