Structure of the solar system

The Earth is our planet.

It is one of eight planets that move around the sun, each in an oval shaped, elliptical orbit.

Our moon orbits the earth.

All of the other planets except Mercury and Venus have at least one moon.

Comets and asteroids also orbit the sun.

Together the Sun, the eight planets, the moons, asteroids and comets make up our Solar System.

Key point

The main features of our Solar System are:

• The sun
• The eight planets
• The moons
• Asteroids
• Comets