Planets

Our solar system consists of eight planets. Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, is only a bit larger than Earth's moon. Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is terribly hot. Earth is the third planet from the Sun; two-thirds of this planet is covered with water and it is the only planet known to harbour life. Mars, the fourth planet, reddish planet that is cold and dusty. Jupiter, the fifth planet, is the largest planet in the solar system. Saturn, the sixth planet, is known for its rings. The seventh planet, Uranus, is the only giant planet that orbits on its side. Neptune, the eighth planet, is known for strong winds. Until 2006, Pluto was considered to be a planet but was later demoted to dwarf planet.