
The Planets
There are more planets than stars in our galaxy. The current count orbiting our star: eight.
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Planets
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Explore the Solar System
Our solar system can be divided into three regions: the inner solar system, the outer solar system, and the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud.
The inner, rocky planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These worlds also are known as terrestrial planets because they have solid surfaces. Mercury, Earth, and Mars are currently being explored by spacecraft. Two rovers are on the surface of Mars. NASA's newest rover — Perseverance — landed on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021. Three missions are in development to return to Venus.
Beyond Neptune, a newer class of smaller worlds called dwarf planets reign, including longtime favorite Pluto. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft visited there in 2015, and is currently exploring the Kuiper Belt beyond Pluto. Thousands more planets have been discovered beyond our solar system. Scientists call them exoplanets (exo means "from outside").

Is There Another Planet in the Solar System?
We don't know. It's an intriguing idea that might explains some current mysteries, but direct evidence of another planet has yet to be found.
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Onward to Venus!
Dr. Lori Glaze, NASA's Director of Planetary Science, talks about the importance of NASA's upcoming return to Venus.
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