Solar System Exploration
Join us as we explore our solar system.
Planets
Dwarf Planets
10 THINGS about our solar system
1. Many Worlds
Our solar system has eight planets, and five dwarf planets.
2. Small Worlds, Too
About 1.4 million asteroids, and about 4,000 comets are in our solar system.
3. Lots of Moons
Our solar system has more than 200 planetary moons.
4. Meet Me in the Milky Way
Our solar system is in one of the Milky Way galaxy’s spiral arms called the Orion Spur.
5. A Long Way Around
Our solar system takes about 230 million years to orbit the galactic center.
6. Spiraling Through Space
The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy.
7. Diverse Atmospheres
Our solar system has many worlds with many types of atmospheres.
8. Ring Worlds
The four giant planets – and at least one asteroid – have rings.
9. Getting Out There
More than 300 robotic spacecraft have left Earth's orbit, and 24 U.S. astronauts have traveled to the Moon.
10. Life as We Know It
So far, Earth is the only place we've found life in our solar system.
Happy 'Pale Blue Dot' Day
The Pale Blue Dot is a photograph of Earth taken on Feb. 14, 1990, by NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft at a distance of 3.7 billion miles (6 billion kilometers) from the Sun. The image inspired the title of scientist Carl Sagan's book, "Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space," in which he wrote: "Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us."
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Solar System Facts
Our solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, five officially named dwarf planets, hundreds of moons, and thousands of asteroids and comets.
Get the Facts
About the Planets
Learn about the inner planets, the outer planets, and the dwarf planets.
Explore the Planets
Moons in Our Solar System
Our solar system has hundreds of moons, and they come in many shapes and sizes.
Explore Moons
What You Need To Know About the March 2025 Total Lunar Eclipse
The Moon will pass into Earth’s shadow and appear to turn red on the night of March 13 or early…
Read the Story
More Skywatching Tips
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What's Up: A Month of Bright Planets
Venus blazes at its brightest for the year after sunset, then Mars and Jupiter to rule the night amid the menagerie of bright winter stars.
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Detailed Daily Guide
Learn about the next full Moon, meteor showers, comets, and other skywatching events.
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Skywatching Hub
Get tips for photographing the Moon, guides, activities, and videos for skywatchers.
Mission Updates
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How NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer Will Make a Looping Voyage to the Moon
The orbiter is slated for launch no earlier than Feb. 26 from Kennedy Space Center.
Lunar TrailblazerNASA/JPL -
NEO Surveyor Completes Critical Design Review
A review board determined the mission meets all technical performance measures and requirements. The project will now move forward to construction and testing.
This artist's concept depicts NASA's Near-Earth Object Surveyor (NEO Surveyor) in deep space.NASA
Featured Missions
Europa Clipper
Europa Clipper launched Oct. 14, 2024, to conduct a detailed investigation of Jupiter's moon Europa.
NEO Surveyor
NEO Surveyor will hunt asteroids and comets that are potential hazards to Earth. Launch is no earlier than September 2027.
VERITAS
VERITAS and DAVINCI will be the first NASA spacecraft to explore Venus since the 1990s. VERITAS will launch no earlier than 2031.
Featured Stories
Featured Resources
Explore curated collections of resources, including activities that can be done at home, as well as videos, animations, handouts, and online interactives.
