How many planets are in the solar system?

There are 8 planets in the solar system.

The Eight Planets

The solar system is made up of the Sun and all the objects that orbit it. The eight official planets are:

1. Mercury
2. Venus
3. Earth
4. Mars
5. Jupiter
6. Saturn
7. Uranus
8. Neptune

Why Not Nine Planets?

For a long time, Pluto was called the ninth planet. But in 2006, the International Astronomical Union redefined the word “planet.” According to this definition, a planet must:

1. Orbit the Sun.
2. Be round in shape.
3. Clear its orbit of other objects.

Pluto fails the third condition because it shares its orbit with many other icy objects in the Kuiper Belt. Therefore, Pluto is now a dwarf planet.

Types of Planets

• Terrestrial planets (rocky): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.
• Gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn.
• Ice giants: Uranus, Neptune.

Interesting Facts

• Jupiter is the largest planet.
• Mercury is the smallest planet.
• Earth is the only planet known to support life.
• Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun.

Other Objects in the Solar System

Besides the eight planets, the solar system also has dwarf planets (like Pluto, Eris, and Ceres), moons, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids.

Conclusion: The solar system has 8 planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto, once called the ninth planet, is now a dwarf planet.