Cosmoview

The Sun

It is massive: The Sun accounts for ~99.9% of the total mass of the solar system.

The Sun's energy comes from nuclear fusion happening inside the core.

The Sun heavily impacts space weather, and it could damage satellites and power grids on Earth.

The Sun isn't actually totally yellow, as its real color is close to white.

Mercury

The most boring planet in the solar system.

One year on Mercury only lasts 88 earth-days.

It is so cratered and desolate that it could easily pass for the Moon's more rugged, planet-sized cousin.

Only two spacecraft have visited Mercury so far, and it is extremely hard to see from Earth.

In the future, Mercury's orbit may become unstable, and it could either crash into the Sun or Venus or Earth or be flung out of the Solar System.

Venus

Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system, with surface temperatures around 465°C (869°F).

It has a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, creating an intense greenhouse effect.

Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, meaning the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

Despite its harsh conditions, scientists believe Venus may have once had liquid water and possibly even life.

Venus is often called Earth's "sister planet" due to its similar size and composition, though their environments are vastly different.

Its surface is covered with volcanoes and vast lava plains, making it one of the most volcanically active places in the solar system.

Venus could technically be colonized using giant blimps floating in the upper atmosphere of the planet.

Earth

Earth is the only known planet to support life, thanks to its liquid water and protective atmosphere.

About 71% of Earth's surface is covered by water, with the remaining 29% consisting of continents and islands.

Earth has a strong magnetic field generated by its liquid outer core, which protects us from harmful solar radiation.

The planet's tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees is responsible for the changing seasons.

Earth's atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases.

Our planet is home to over 8 million known species, with millions more yet to be discovered, but a million of them goes extinct every year.

Mars

Mars is often called the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance, caused by iron oxide (rust) on its surface.

It has the tallest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, which stands about 22 kilometers (13.6 miles) high.

Mars has the largest dust storms in the solar system, sometimes covering the entire planet for months.

Scientists have found evidence of ancient river valleys and lakes, suggesting Mars once had liquid water.

The Martian day, called a "sol," is approximately 24.6 hours, very similar to Earth's 24-hour day.

Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are thought to be captured asteroids, and could become rings in a few million years.

Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a mass more than twice that of all other planets combined.

It has a Great Red Spot, a massive storm larger than Earth that has been raging for over 300 years.

Jupiter has a strong magnetic field, 14 times stronger than Earth's, creating intense radiation belts.

The planet is made mostly of hydrogen and helium, lacking a solid surface.

Jupiter has at least 79 moons, including the four large Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Its rapid rotation causes Jupiter to have a noticeable oblate shape, being flattened at the poles.

Saturn

Saturn is renowned for its stunning ring system, composed of ice and rock particles ranging in size.

It is the second-largest planet in our solar system and is mostly made up of hydrogen and helium.

Saturn has at least 83 moons, with Titan (a moon with a full fledged atmosphere comparable to Earth's!) being the largest and the second-largest moon in the solar system.

The planet's low density means it would float if there were a bathtub large enough to hold it.

Saturn experiences powerful storms, including the long-lasting hexagonal storm at its north pole.

Its rings are relatively young, estimated to be only about 100 million years old.

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Uranus

Uranus is unique for its extreme axial tilt of about 98 degrees, causing it to rotate on its side, and also having a funny 🙄 name.

The planet has a faint ring system and is composed mainly of ice and gas, including water, ammonia, and methane.

Uranus has 27 known moons, named mostly after characters from literature, such as Titania and Oberon.

Its methane-rich (a gas which cow burps btw) atmosphere gives Uranus its distinctive blue-green color.

Uranus has the coldest atmosphere of any planet in the solar system, with temperatures dropping to -224°C (-371°F).

Neptune

Neptune is the most distant planet (sorry Pluto) from the Sun in our solar system, located about 4.5 billion kilometers away.

It has the strongest winds in the solar system, reaching speeds of up to 2,100 kilometers per hour (1,300 mph).

Neptune's Great Dark Spot is a massive storm similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot, though it can appear and disappear over time.

The planet has 14 known moons, with Triton being the largest, featuring geysers that suggest a subsurface ocean (that could host life!).

Neptune is composed mainly of hydrogen, helium, and methane, which gives it a deep blue color.

Its rotation period is about 16 hours, making a Neptunian day much shorter than an Earth day.