The Planets in Our Solar System: Gods & Fun Facts

There’s something humbling about staring up at the night sky and realizing you live on a small rock orbiting an average star in a vast, spiraling galaxy. And yet, each of the planets in our solar system has its own story, scientific, mythological, and emotional. Studying the planets through both science and myth reminds us that the universe is within us, too. These celestial bodies have shaped not only the tides and tectonics of Earth, but the myths and metaphors we return to again and again.

So whether you’re stargazing with a telescope, or flipping through a well-worn mythology book with tea in hand, keep asking questions. Keep wondering. The solar system is a story still being written. A deep-dive into the planets of our solar system, talking about gods and fun facts.

The planets and their true sizes

☿ Mercury: The Swift & Silent One

Mythology:

Named after the Roman god Mercury (Greek: Hermes), the messenger of the gods. He was clever, quick, and always in motion, often depicted with winged sandals and a caduceus staff. Fitting, since Mercury is the fastest planet in our solar system.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 58 million kilometers (36 million miles)

• Orbital period: 88 Earth days

• Size: Just over one-third the size of Earth

• Atmosphere: Essentially none—just a thin exosphere of oxygen, sodium, and hydrogen

• Temperature swings: From 430°C (800°F) in the day to -180°C (-290°F) at night

Mercury is so small and close to the Sun that it's easy to forget it exists—kind of like that quiet genius at the back of the lecture hall. But if you really look at it (usually just after sunset or before sunrise), Mercury is all extremes. With virtually no atmosphere to retain heat, the side facing the Sun gets scorched while the other side freezes in shadow. No moons. No rings. Just a world of craters, cliffs, and silence.

Fun Fact:

Mercury has a magnetic field—one of the only terrestrial planets that does. It’s weak but fascinating, especially considering its slow rotation and molten core. Also? A day on Mercury (sunrise to sunrise) lasts 176 Earth days. So yes, its year is shorter than its day. Time is fake here.

Vibes:

A minimalist. High-contrast. If Mercury were a person, they’d be the ultra-efficient overthinker who texts you back in 0.2 seconds, already two steps ahead in the conversation.

♀ Venus: The Shrouded Goddess

Mythology:

Named for the Roman goddess of love and beauty (Greek: Aphrodite), Venus is the only planet named after a woman, and she earns that title with flair. But don’t be fooled by the romantic name. Venus is dangerous, mysterious, and absolutely not here for your nonsense.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 108 million kilometers (67 million miles)

• Orbital period: 225 Earth days

• Size: Almost the same as Earth—95% its diameter

• Atmosphere: Thick with carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds

• Surface temperature: A toasty 465°C (869°F) — hotter than Mercury despite being farther from the Sun

Venus is a world wrapped in secrets. Its thick clouds trap heat in a runaway greenhouse effect, making it the hottest planet in the solar system. The surface pressure is so intense it would crush a human in seconds. Most of what we know about Venus comes from radar mapping and a few brave probes that didn’t last long.

Fun Fact:

Venus rotates backwards—it spins in the opposite direction to most of the other planets, and incredibly slowly. A day on Venus is longer than its year. Wild, right?

Also:

It has mountains, volcanoes, and vast lava plains. If you’re into extreme landscapes, this is the planet for you.

Vibes:

Venus is that elegant woman at the party with mystery in her eyes and danger in her heels. She's stunning, but you don’t want to cross her. She will destroy you—with beauty and acid rain.

⊕ Earth: The Goldilocks Zone Miracle

Mythology:

Earth didn’t get its name from Roman or Greek mythology, which already sets it apart. Instead, the name comes from Old English and Germanic roots, meaning "ground" or "soil." But in mythology, the planet has been personified for millennia—Gaia (Greek) or Terra (Roman) being the most prominent. Gaia is the primordial goddess, mother of all life.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: 150 million kilometers (93 million miles)

• Orbital period: 365.25 days

• Size: Just right

• Atmosphere: Nitrogen-rich, with oxygen and trace gases

• Surface temperature: A comfortable average of 15°C (59°F)

Earth is the only planet we know of that supports life, thanks to a perfect combination of atmosphere, water, magnetic field, and distance from the Sun. From its molten core to its breathable skies, everything about Earth screams “perfect conditions” (well, almost).

Fun Fact:

Earth’s magnetic field is powered by its spinning iron core, which protects us from solar radiation. It’s also why we get to enjoy the auroras—a visual gift from the cosmos.

Also:

We are the only planet with plate tectonics, which helps recycle carbon and support a dynamic surface. It also causes earthquakes, but hey—balance.

Vibes:

Earth is the nurturing realist. She’s the only one keeping it all together. She grows things, shelters life, and throws the occasional stormy tantrum. She’s not flawless, but she’s alive. And that’s everything.

♂ Mars: The Warrior with a Soft Side

Mythology:

Named after the Roman god of war, Mars (Greek: Ares). He symbolized aggression, strength, and conquest—but unlike the chaotic, emotional Ares of Greek myth, the Roman Mars was also a protector of the people and a guardian of agriculture. Which, strangely enough, makes sense for this dusty red planet—equal parts fierce and quietly nurturing.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 228 million kilometers (142 million miles)

• Orbital period: 687 Earth days

• Size: Roughly half the size of Earth

• Atmosphere: Thin and composed mostly of carbon dioxide

• Surface: Home to Olympus Mons (the tallest volcano in the solar system) and Valles Marineris (a canyon system that dwarfs the Grand Canyon)

Mars is the planet we dream of. Cold, dry, and rust-colored, yet somehow it feels familiar. It has seasons, polar ice caps, and maybe—just maybe—fossilized life deep beneath its surface. Robotic explorers have been crawling all over it, whispering clues back to us about its watery past.

Fun Fact:

Mars has two lumpy little moons—Phobos and Deimos, named after fear and terror. They look more like captured asteroids than traditional moons, which adds to Mars’ scrappy, outsider vibe.

Vibes:The intense loner who journals obsessively, wants to talk about their trauma, but only if you bring snacks. They’re moody, independent, and quietly romantic. They’ve been through a lot. They’re not done healing. But they’re trying.

♃ Jupiter: The King of Everything

Mythology:

Named after Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods (Greek: Zeus). He’s the thunder-wielding ruler of the skies, all power and spectacle. Appropriately, Jupiter is the biggest, loudest, most dramatic planet in the solar system. If the planets were a family, Jupiter would be the overachieving eldest child with a booming voice and gravitational pull you can’t ignore.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 778 million kilometers (484 million miles)

• Orbital period: Nearly 12 Earth years

• Size: 11 times the diameter of Earth

• Atmosphere: Thick with hydrogen and helium, with bands of storms

• The Great Red Spot: A massive storm that’s been raging for centuries—about twice the size of Earth

Jupiter doesn’t do subtle. It’s got 95 confirmed moons (and counting), including Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system. Its magnetic field is a beast, stretching millions of kilometers and trapping deadly radiation belts. Jupiter shapes the entire architecture of the solar system with its gravity. It’s the bouncer at the cosmic club door.

Fun Fact:

Jupiter radiates more heat than it receives from the Sun. It’s basically glowing from within, thanks to leftover energy from its formation. A soft giant with a hot heart.

Vibes:

Big boss energy. Jupiter’s the extroverted, all-knowing friend who throws glitter at a problem and somehow makes it work. They’re intimidating but generous. Loud but wise. You don’t argue with them—you orbit them.

♄ Saturn: The Elegant Mystery

Mythology:

Named after Saturn, the Roman god of wealth, time, and agriculture (Greek equivalent: Cronus, the Titan father of Zeus). Saturn ruled the Golden Age, when the world was peaceful and abundant. There’s a kind of poetic elegance to that—the planet is both beautiful and ancient, with secrets tucked into its rings.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 1.4 billion kilometers (886 million miles)

• Orbital period: 29.5 Earth years

• Size: 9 times the diameter of Earth

• Atmosphere: Hydrogen and helium with high-speed winds and storms

• Rings: Made of ice and rock, they span over 280,000 kilometers (175,000 miles) but are only about 10 meters thick

Saturn’s rings are iconic—thin, delicate, shimmering like a cosmic vinyl record. But there’s more to this planet than pretty accessories. It’s the least dense planet (it would float in water if you had a big enough tub), and its hexagonal storm at the north pole is still baffling scientists. Saturn’s also the quiet parent of a wild crew of moons, including the ocean-hiding Enceladus and the hazy, prebiotic Titan.

Fun Fact:

Saturn’s moon Titan has rivers, lakes, and even rain—except they’re made of liquid methane. Think Earth, but terrifying.

Vibes:

The slow-burning artist who wears linen, speaks in metaphors, and shows up exactly when they mean to. Saturn doesn’t need to shout. Their presence is felt in the way time passes and how seasons change. Dignified. Deep. Occasionally mysterious in a hot professor kind of way.

♅ Uranus: The Tilted Eccentric

Mythology:

Named after the ancient Greek sky god Ouranos (Roman: Caelus), who personified the heavens. He was the father of Saturn (Cronus) and the grandfather of Jupiter (Zeus). In mythology, he was powerful but distant—much like the pale blue planet that shares his name.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 2.9 billion kilometers (1.8 billion miles)

• Orbital period: 84 Earth years

• Size: 4 times the diameter of Earth

• Atmosphere: Hydrogen, helium, and methane (which gives it that gorgeous blue color)

• Axial tilt: A dramatic 98 degrees—Uranus essentially rolls through space on its side

Uranus is the planet that broke all the rules. Its axial tilt likely came from a collision early in its history, giving it wildly unique seasons. Each pole gets 42 years of sunlight followed by 42 years of darkness. It also has faint rings, a magnetosphere that tilts off-center, and at least 27 moons named after Shakespeare and Alexander Pope characters.

Fun Fact:

Unlike other gas giants, Uranus doesn’t have a lot of internal heat. It’s one of the coldest planets in the solar system, and we still don’t know why. It's quiet, cool, and keeps its secrets close.

Vibes:

The eccentric art school grad who thrifted their entire wardrobe and casually knows quantum mechanics. They’re unconventional and proud of it. They challenge the norm without even trying. Mysterious but somehow charming. Definitely drinks tea with lavender.

♆ Neptune: The Deep Dreamer

Mythology:

Named after Neptune, the Roman god of the sea (Greek: Poseidon). Fittingly, Neptune’s vivid blue hue and stormy atmosphere make it feel oceanic, even though it's a gas giant with no solid surface. It rules over the deep, the hidden, the powerful undercurrents.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 4.5 billion kilometers (2.8 billion miles)

• Orbital period: 165 Earth years

• Size: Similar to Uranus in diameter but denser

• Atmosphere: Hydrogen, helium, and methane, with the fastest winds in the solar system (up to 2,100 km/h or 1,300 mph)

• Weather: Home to massive storms like the Great Dark Spot, which comes and goes like a cosmic bruise

Neptune was the first planet discovered through math rather than direct observation—scientists noticed Uranus wobbling and predicted Neptune’s existence. That alone gives it a mysterious aura. Its largest moon, Triton, orbits in the opposite direction of Neptune’s spin, hinting it may be a captured object.

Fun Fact:

Neptune radiates way more heat than it receives, meaning something inside is still very much alive and dynamic. It might be far, but it’s no sleepy giant.

Vibes:

That friend who reads obscure poetry at midnight and walks barefoot in the rain. Deep thinker. Feels everything intensely but doesn’t always show it. Has major old soul energy. Mysterious but nurturing.

⚳ Pluto: The Little Rebel (Yes, We’re Including It)

Mythology:

Named after Pluto, the Roman god of the underworld (Greek: Hades). Shadowed, mysterious, and easily misunderstood, just like the icy dwarf planet we argued over in science class. Regardless of classification, Pluto still holds mythic weight.

Astronomy Facts:

• Distance from the Sun: About 5.9 billion kilometers (3.7 billion miles)

• Orbital period: 248 Earth years

• Size: About 1/6th the width of Earth—smaller than our Moon

• Composition: Ice and rock

• Atmosphere: A thin, temporary veil of nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide when it's closest to the Sun

Pluto’s orbit is eccentric, literally. It sometimes comes closer to the Sun than Neptune and has a wildly tilted orbital plane. It has five moons, with Charon being so large that Pluto and Charon actually orbit each other. Pluto may be small, but it’s complex, with ice mountains, glacial plains, and a heart-shaped region called Tombaugh Regio.

Fun Fact:

When New Horizons flew by Pluto in 2015, it revealed that this little world was geologically active with signs of possible cryovolcanoes. Yes, volcanoes that spew ice. What?

Vibes:

The misunderstood introvert who quietly changed the game. Small but mighty. Still mad about being demoted but too dignified to say it. Thinks a lot. Feels more. Probably writes the best breakup poetry in the solar system.

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