Map of Solar System – Planets, Orbits, Distances & Space Guide
Map of the Solar System - Planets, Orbits, Distances and Space Guide
Explore the Solar System, from the four rocky inner planets to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and discover the asteroid belt, dwarf planets and icy regions beyond Neptune. This guide explains the order of the planets, their approximate distances from the Sun, planetary orbits and how to explore the Solar System using a 3D map.
Quick answer: What is the Solar System?
The Solar System consists of the Sun and the objects held in its gravitational influence, including eight planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, comets and smaller bodies. In order from the Sun, the planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Explore an Interactive Solar System Map
NASA's Eyes on the Solar System lets visitors examine planets, moons, selected spacecraft and their positions in a three-dimensional Solar System model. It is a more suitable interactive explorer than a general NASA information page.
NASA Eyes on the Solar System
Explore planetary positions, orbits and selected space missions in a 3D viewer.
Explore the Solar System in 3DThe viewer is an educational model. Planet sizes and distances may use different display scales, and some features require a capable browser and internet connection.
How to Read a Solar System Map
- Find the Sun: It is the central star and the main source of light and heat for the planets.
- Follow the planets outward: The four rocky planets come first, followed by four giant planets.
- Compare distances: The gaps between planets are much larger than a typical illustration can show.
- Check orbital paths: Planets move around the Sun in elliptical orbits rather than remaining in a fixed straight line.
- Notice the smaller-body regions: The asteroid belt lies mainly between Mars and Jupiter, and the Kuiper Belt begins beyond Neptune.
The Eight Planets in Order From the Sun
The table below gives rounded average orbital distances and approximate orbital periods. Actual distance from the Sun changes along each planet's elliptical orbit. AU means astronomical unit, approximately 149.6 million kilometres, the average Earth-Sun distance.
| Planet | Type | Average distance from Sun | Time to orbit Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Rocky | 0.39 AU / 58 million km | 88 Earth days |
| Venus | Rocky | 0.72 AU / 108 million km | 225 Earth days |
| Earth | Rocky | 1.00 AU / 150 million km | 365.25 days |
| Mars | Rocky | 1.52 AU / 228 million km | 1.88 Earth years |
| Jupiter | Gas giant | 5.20 AU / 778 million km | 11.86 Earth years |
| Saturn | Gas giant | 9.58 AU / 1.43 billion km | 29.45 Earth years |
| Uranus | Ice giant | 19.2 AU / 2.87 billion km | 84 Earth years |
| Neptune | Ice giant | 30.1 AU / 4.50 billion km | 165 Earth years |
Inner Planets vs Outer Planets
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are the inner terrestrial planets. They are relatively small, dense and rocky. Jupiter and Saturn are gas giants, while Uranus and Neptune are ice giants. The four giant planets all have ring systems, although Saturn's are by far the most conspicuous.
In astronomy, the term "ice giant" refers mainly to a planet's bulk composition, not a solid icy surface. Uranus and Neptune have extensive atmospheres and high-pressure interiors.
Major Regions of the Solar System
1. Inner Solar System
The region around the Sun contains Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, along with many smaller objects. The Sun's energy is strongest closer to the Sun.
2. Main Asteroid Belt
Located mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid belt contains many rocky bodies and the dwarf planet Ceres. It is not a tightly packed wall of rocks; most asteroids are separated by enormous distances.
3. Outer Giant Planets
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune dominate the outer planetary region. Their gravity influences moons, small bodies and orbital pathways across the Solar System.
4. Kuiper Belt
The Kuiper Belt is a broad, doughnut-shaped region of icy objects beyond Neptune. Its main region extends roughly from 30 to 50 AU from the Sun. Pluto is among the best-known objects associated with this distant region.
5. Scattered Disk and Oort Cloud
The scattered disk includes icy bodies on elongated or inclined orbits that extend beyond the main Kuiper Belt. Much farther away, the Oort Cloud is a proposed, approximately spherical reservoir of icy objects, inferred from comet orbits but not directly imaged as a cloud.
Dwarf Planets: Where Does Pluto Fit?
Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet, not one of the eight planets. The International Astronomical Union recognises five named dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris. Scientists continue studying other distant bodies that may meet dwarf planet criteria.
The planet classification adopted in 2006 includes the requirement that a planet clear the neighbourhood around its orbit. Pluto orbits the Sun and is nearly round, but it does not meet that requirement.
Moons, Asteroids, Comets and Meteoroids
- Moons: Natural satellites orbiting planets or some smaller bodies. Earth's Moon is one example.
- Asteroids: Mostly rocky or metallic small bodies that orbit the Sun.
- Comets: Ice-rich bodies that can develop a glowing coma and tails as they approach the Sun.
- Meteoroids: Smaller particles in space; a meteor is the streak of light seen when one enters an atmosphere.
Why the Distances on Solar System Maps Can Be Misleading
Most educational Solar System images enlarge the planets dramatically so they can be seen. If planet sizes and orbital distances were drawn to the same scale on a normal screen, most planets would be tiny dots separated by vast empty spaces.
Similarly, diagrams often draw circular orbits and line the planets up neatly. Real planetary orbits are slightly elliptical, inclined by different amounts and constantly changing their relative positions.
Solar System Scale: How Long Does Sunlight Take?
Light takes approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to Earth. It takes roughly 43 minutes to reach Jupiter's average orbital distance and around 4 hours and 10 minutes to reach Neptune's average distance. These figures are approximate because planet positions vary.
How Scientists Explore the Solar System
Scientists use telescopes, robotic spacecraft, orbiters, landers, rovers and atmospheric instruments to study the Solar System. Missions such as Voyager, Cassini, Juno, New Horizons and Mars spacecraft have revealed details that cannot be seen from Earth alone. Solar System models combine astronomical observations, orbital calculations and spacecraft measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many planets are in the Solar System?
There are eight recognised planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
What is the largest planet?
Jupiter is the Solar System's largest planet by diameter and mass.
Is Pluto a planet?
Pluto is currently classified as a dwarf planet under the International Astronomical Union's Solar System definitions.
Where is the asteroid belt?
The main asteroid belt is between Mars and Jupiter.
What lies beyond Neptune?
Beyond Neptune are the Kuiper Belt, scattered disk and other distant objects. The proposed Oort Cloud lies much farther out.
Are planetary orbits perfect circles?
No. Planets follow elliptical orbits, although most of the eight planets' orbits are fairly close to circular.
Can I see all eight planets without a telescope?
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen with the unaided eye under suitable conditions. Uranus is occasionally visible under exceptionally dark skies, while Neptune generally requires optical equipment.
Trusted Solar System Map and Astronomy Resources
- NASA Eyes on the Solar System - 3D explorer
- NASA Solar System Science - Planetary information
- NASA - Planet sizes and locations
Related Fosmore Space Guides
Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information about the Solar System. Planet positions, orbital models, object classifications and scientific interpretations may change as research progresses. Numerical values are rounded estimates. Interactive maps are visualisations, not substitutes for mission-grade navigation or scientific analysis. Verify important information with primary scientific sources. Fosmore is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA or other space agencies.