There are eleven planets in our solar system.

From top to bottom, they are Mercury, Venus, Earth (and our moon), Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (dwarf planets Pluto, Ceres, and Eris not shown in this image).

Mercury is the planet closest to the sun. It has no water on its surface, but it has cliffs and valleys, just like Earth.

Venus, the second planet from the sun, is partly covered by clouds in this picture. It is very bright in our night sky. In fact, the only thing brighter is our moon.

Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, is sometimes called the "red planet" because iron oxide (rust) in its soil turns the dirt red.

Jupiter, the fifth planet from the sun, is the biggest planet in our solar system. It could fit more than 1,300 Earths inside it!

Saturn is the second-largest planet in our solar system. It also has the most spectacular rings of any planet and more than 50 moons.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures a rare view of the entire ring system of the planet Uranus, tilted edge-on to Earth.

This bright-blue world is Neptune, the eighth planet from the sun. The big smudge in the middle is a powerful storm swirling on the planet.

This view of Earth was taken in 1972 by astronauts on their way to the moon. Can you tell what continent that is through the clouds? (Answer: Africa.)

Planets Mercury Venus Earth mars and Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune and Pluto If you sing its not hard to remember The names of the planets anywhere that you go

mercury, Venus, earth, and mars, they are planets, there not stars, Jupiter and Saturn, they are vast, Uranus, and Neptune, there not last, Pluto is the very last one, six-trillion kilometers from the sun.

Gravity The planets in their galaxy, brightly dotted stars I see. In a pattern one by one, revolving fast around the sun. While the earth is spinning, I stay firmly on the ground. Gravity keeps me in place, as I spin around in space.

Planets Here are nine planets that we know. Round and round the Sun they go. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, These are the planets near our star. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, too. Neptune, Pluto, we can't see you. These are the nine planets that we know. Round and round the Sun they go.

Planets Song (to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star") I know the planets one by one Starting with the one that's closest to the sun. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, Are the first four among the stars. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Are the next planets in my tune. Pluto's the farthest one from the sun. I know the planets one by one. Cassie Sherman

Solar System (to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star) Twinkle, twinkle, little star, Oh so bright and oh so far. In the sky, a tiny dot. Glowing gas that's very hot! Twinkle, twinkle, little star, Oh so bright and oh so far. Beaming, beaming, gleaming moon, Like a giant white balloon, Round and round the Earth you spin, Through the month, new shapes you're in. Beaming, beaming, gleaming moon, Like a giant white balloon. Glowing, glowing, red-hot sun. Shining light on everyone. Earth goes round you once a year. You're a star with atmosphere! Glowing, glowing, red-hot sun, Shining light on everyone.

Stars (to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star") Twinkle, twinkle, little star, I know what you really are: Giant ball of glowing gas, One of billions in a mass! Twinkle, twinkle, little star, Oh, how big you really are! Twinkle, twinkle, giant star, Larger than the Earth by far! Since your distance is a lot, You look like a tiny dot. Twinkle, twinkle, giant star, Very bright, yet very far! Stars are twinkling, every one, Some are bigger than the sun! Just a twinkle in the sky, Just because you're oh, so high! Twinkle, twinkle, little star, Oh, how big you really are! Meish Goldish

Shooting Star Shooting star, Falling star, Burning with a light. Shooting star, Falling star, Lighting up the night. Shooting star, Falling star, What a sight to see. Shooting star, Shining star, Grant a wish for me.

Moon Are you lonely, Moon? You giant white balloon! You have no water, wind or air.

No wonder, nothing lives up their. You can't grow trees or flowers or grass. Your soil is only rocks and glass. Even your light is not your own. Instead it's from the sun that's shone. Your gravity is weak, I hear. You really have no atmosphere. But don't be sad, Moon, please don't cry. For I still love you in the sky. Meish Goldish

The Changing Moon Moon in the sky. Some nights you're big and round. Some nights you're very small. Some nights you're only sliver size. Some nights you're not at all.

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom Zoom, zoom, zoom, I'm going to the moon. Zoom, zoom, zoom, I'll get there very soon. If you want to take a trip, Climb aboard my rocket ship. Zoom, zoom, zoom, I'm going to the moon!

Planet Roll Call Nine planets around the sun, Listen as I call each one: Mercury? Here! Number one, Closest planet to the sun. Venus? Here! Number two, Shining bright, just like new! Earth? Here! Number three, Earth is home to you and me. Mars? Here! Number four, Red and ready to explore! Jupiter? Here! Number five, Largest planet, that's no jive! Saturn? Here! Number six, With rings of dust and ice that mix. Uranus? Here! Number seven,

A planet tilted high in heaven. Neptune? Here! Number eight, With one dark spot whose size is great. Pluto? Here! Number nine, The smallest and the last in line! Meish Goldish

Home, Home, on the Solar System (to the tune of "Home, Home on the Range") Oh give me a home, where the planets roam, Where the comets and the asteroids play, Where seldom is seen, a human being, And the stars twinkle all night and all day. Home, home on the solar system, Where comets and the asteroids play, Where seldom is seen, A human beingAnd the stars twinkle all night and all day. Joanne O'Leary

The Solar System in Motion (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell") The Earth turns around, The Earth turns around. Once a day, every day, The Earth turns around. The moon goes round the Earth, The moon goes round the Earth. Once a month, every month, The moon goes round the Earth. The Earth goes round the sun, The Earth goes round the sun. Once a year, every year, The earth goes round the sun. Meish Goldish

The Family of the Sun (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

The family of the Sun, The family of the Sun, Here are nine planets in The family of the Sun. Mercury is hot And Mercury is small. Mercury has no atmosphere. It's just a rocky ball. The family of the Sun, The family of the Sun, Here's another planet in The family of the Sun. Venus has thick clouds That hide what is below The air is foul, the ground is hot, It rotates very slow. (Repeat Refrain) We love the Earth, our home, Its oceans and its trees. We eat its food, we breathe its air, So no pollution, please. (Repeat Refrain) Mars is very red. It's also dry and cold Some day you might visit Mars If you are really bold. (Repeat Refrain) Great Jupiter is big. We've studies it a lot. We found that it has 16 moons And a big red spot. (Repeat Refrain) Saturn has great rings. We wondered what they were. Now we know they're icy rocks Which we saw as a blur. The family of the Sun, The family of the Sun, Here are two more planets in The family of the Sun. Uranus and Neptune We don't know much about

Maybe you will study them And then we'll all find out. (Repeat Refrain) Pluto's last in line. It's farthest from the Sun.* It's small and cold and icy too. To land there won't bw fun. The family of the Sun, The family of the Sun, There are nine planets and Now our journey's done. * Every 248 years, Pluto's orbit brings it inside Neptune's orbit for a period of 20 years. From 1979 to 1999, Neptune will be farthest from the Sun. (From Exploring the Palnets Gallery, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution)

The Solar System (to the tune of "This Old Man") Mercury, number one. It is closest to the sun. Chorus: With a round, round, go around Planets 'round the sun Sing about them everyone. Venus bright, number two. Morning and evening "star" we view. chorus Planet Earth, number three. We live on it, you and me. chorus Planet Mars, number four. Named for a roman god of war. chorus Number five, Jupiter. Colored clouds around it stir. chorus Number six, big Saturn. Many rings around it turn. chorus Number seven, Uranus. It looks blue and green to us. chorus Number eight, stormy Neptune. Triton is its frozen moon. chorus Number nine, tiny Pluto. Farthest from the sun, you know. chorus

Rockets Rockets flying out in space, Rockets flying every place, Rockets from Earth to Venus and Mars, to silver moons and shining stars. Rockets to galaxies far away, I think I'll build a rocket some day. I'll fuel it first, I'll fly it away. I'll land in time for Christmas day. On Pluto, Neptune, Saturn or Mars. On a silver moon, Or a shining star.