How many planets make up our Solar System?

The story behind the answer

There are 8 planets in our Solar System: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union clarified the definition of a planet: it must orbit the Sun, be nearly round, and clear its orbital neighborhood. Pluto meets the first two but not the third, so it’s classified as a dwarf planet.

To remember the order from the Sun, try the mnemonic: “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles.” The first four are small, rocky “terrestrial” planets, while the outer four are giants—Jupiter and Saturn are gas giants; Uranus and Neptune are ice giants.