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 hundreds of 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.
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.
Our solar system is located in the Milky Way, a barred spiral galaxy with two major arms, and two minor arms. Our Sun is in a small, partial arm of the Milky Way called the Orion Arm, or Orion Spur, between the Sagittarius and Perseus arms. Our solar system orbits the center of the galaxy at about 515,000 mph (828,000 kph). It takes about 230 million years to complete one orbit around the galactic center.
About the Planets
Learn about the inner planets, the outer planets, and the dwarf planets.
Moons in Our Solar System
Our solar system has hundreds of moons, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many moons orbit planets, and even some asteroids have moons.
Viking: 50 Years on Mars
Throughout history, Mars had been in sight, but never within reach — until July 20, 1976, when NASA’s Viking 1 lander touched down safely and began transmitting the first images from the surface of the Red Planet. Viking 1 broke ground on Mars surface exploration, beginning an effort that continues through today. Mars missions ever since, and those yet to come, seek to uncover whether the planet’s once warm and wet climate was ever habitable to some form of life, as our discoveries help inform sustainability for human exploration in the future. These missions continue building on what the Vikings began.
Join the Celebration: Stories, Images, Videos, Posters, and More about Viking: 50 Years on Mars
NASA’s Psyche Mission Delivers Mars Flyby Data, Time-lapse Video
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft flew by Mars on May 15, using the planet’s gravity to gain speed and slightly tilt its trajectory. The flyby also gave the team an opportunity to prep for the science they will be conducting when they reach the metal-rich asteroid Psyche in 2029.
Learn More About the Psyche Flyby of MarsWhat’s Up: July 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA
A predawn Moon-and-planets meetup, a returning comet, a great chance to see the Milky Way, and Saturn’s rings at a…
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NASA’s Psyche Mission Aces Mars Flyby, Targets Metal-Rich Asteroid
The spacecraft successfully maneuvered around Mars on May 15, speeding it up and setting its course for the main asteroid belt, where it will study the asteroid Psyche in 2029. The flyby also served as a training run, during which Psyche calibrated its instruments ahead of its asteroid encounter, while capturing unique views of the Red Planet.
Read ‘Psyche Aces Mars Flyby’ about NASA’s Psyche Mission Aces Mars Flyby, Targets Metal-Rich Asteroid
Mars Gives a Boost to the Psyche Mission
Watch the video to learn about the Psyche spacecraft, its mission, its target — a compelling metal-rich asteroid, also named Psyche — and why the Mars gravity assist was crucial to this journey.
Learn More About the Mars Encounter at the Psyche Mission BlogView the Psyche Flyby of Mars, With NASA’s ‘Eyes on the Solar System’
Use NASA's 3D interactive app to visualize the Psyche spacecraft during its journey. Relive the event, the May 15 gravity assist, when Psyche drew on Mars' gravitational pull to speed up and steer the spacecraft toward its destination in the asteroid belt. Or see where Psyche is right now, beyond Mars and en route to explore the intriguing metal-rich asteroid, also named Psyche, in 2029.
Eyes on the Solar System
NASA’s DART Mission Changed Orbit of Asteroid Didymos Around Sun
New research reveals that when NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) spacecraft intentionally impacted the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos in September…
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Featured Missions
NEO Surveyor
NEO Surveyor will hunt asteroids and comets that are potential hazards to Earth. Launch is no earlier than September 2027.
Europa Clipper
Europa Clipper launched Oct. 14, 2024, to conduct a detailed investigation of Jupiter's moon Europa.
VERITAS
VERITAS and DAVINCI will be the first NASA spacecraft to explore Venus since the 1990s. VERITAS will launch no earlier than 2031.
Featured Articles
Resources
Explore curated collections of resources, including activities that can be done at home, as well as videos, animations, handouts, and online interactives.
View Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Through NASA’s Multiple Lenses
Since the interstellar comet was discovered July 1, a dozen NASA assets have captured and processed imagery of the icy interloper, and several others will have opportunities to capture more images as the comet continues to pass through our solar system. Its path runs far beyond Earth; at its closest — on or around Friday, Dec. 19 — comet 3I/ATLAS will be about 170 million miles away, or nearly twice the distance from Earth to the Sun. NASA spacecraft will continue to observe the comet as it makes its journey through the solar system, passing the orbit of Jupiter in spring 2026.
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