Planets & Moons
There are 8 officially recognized Solar System planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Most of them, except Mercury and Venus, have their own natural satellites, commonly called “moons.” Some of the dwarf planets, like Pluto and Eris, have moons, too. Here, you’ll learn the best dates to observe planets in the sky and find everything you need to know about planets, dwarf planets, and natural satellites. When you learn enough, test your astronomy skills with our challenging quizzes!
Facts About Venus: Explore the Earth's Sister Planet
Why is Venus so hot and bright? When is the best time to observe it? Read this article to get answers to these and many other questions about this planet.
Facts About Mercury: All You Need to Know
Explore the closest planet to the Sun! Find out how long a day on Mercury is and how many moons the planet has. Also, keep up with the upcoming Mercury events!
September 2023: What Planet is Next to the Moon?
What is that bright dot shining near the Moon tonight? Find out about stars and planets that can be seen next to our natural satellite this month!
Jupiter Facts: The Biggest Planet in the Solar System
The bright Jupiter is known for its many moons, unstable surface, and mysterious Great Red Spot. Is there something else? Find out!
Planetary Opposition 2023: Saturn, Jupiter, and Other Planets At Their Brightest
The best time to view most planets is at the astronomical opposition. Find out what it means and when to see the upcoming oppositions.
Planetary Conjunctions: What Are They and When Is the Next One?
Stay up to date with our complete list of planetary conjunctions! Mark your calendars, and be sure to observe these fascinating astronomical phenomena.
Planet Neptune: Explore the Farthest Planet From the Sun!
How big is Neptune? What is Neptune made of? Why is Neptune blue? Read our article and learn curious facts about the outermost planet in the Solar System.
Mars: Facts About the Red Planet
Why is Mars red? What’s the gravity on Mars? Read this article to get answers to these and many other questions and learn more about the Red Planet.
What Is Saturn: Planet Boasting Rings, Moons, and More
How many rings does Saturn have? Where is Saturn tonight in the sky? Find answers to these and other most common questions about Saturn in our article.
Planetary Alignment: A Celestial Parade
Discover how to observe planetary alignments with this colorful infographic and mark your calendar for the next “planet parade”.