The Size of the Planets in the Solar System

The solar system is home to eight planets, each with its own unique size and composition. From the smallest planet, Mercury, to the largest planet, Jupiter, the planets vary greatly in size.

Mercury

Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of just 4,879 kilometers. It is also the closest planet to the sun. Mercury is a rocky planet with a thin atmosphere.

Venus

Venus is the second smallest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of 12,104 kilometers. It is the hottest planet in the solar system, with an average surface temperature of 462 degrees Celsius. Venus is a terrestrial planet with a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide.

Earth

Earth is the third smallest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of 12,756 kilometers. It is the only planet in the solar system known to support life. Earth is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen.

Mars

Mars is the fourth smallest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of 6,792 kilometers. It is the second-smallest terrestrial planet in the

 solar system. Mars is a rocky planet with a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide.

Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of 139,820 kilometers. It is also the most massive planet in the solar system, with a mass that is about 318 times the mass of Earth. Jupiter is a gas giant with a thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium.

Saturn

Saturn is the second-largest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of 116,464 kilometers. It is also the second-most massive planet in the solar system, with a mass that is about 95 times the mass of Earth. Saturn is a gas giant with a thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium.

Uranus

Uranus is the third-largest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of 51,118 kilometers. It is also the seventh planet from the sun. Uranus is an ice giant with a thick atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, and methane.

Neptune

Neptune is the fourth-largest planet in the solar system, with a diameter of 49,532 kilometers. It is also the eighth planet from the sun. Neptune is an ice giant with a thick atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, and methane.

The size of a planet is determined by its mass and composition. The more massive a planet is, the larger it will be. The composition of a planet also plays a role in its size. Gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, are made up of mostly hydrogen and helium, which are very light elements. This allows them to have large diameters despite their

 relatively low masses. Terrestrial planets, such as Earth and Mars, are made up of heavier elements, such as rock and metal. This limits their size, even if they have high masses.