Name the planet closest to the Sun

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. It has the least distance to the sun and only takes 88 days to revolve around it. Mercury is also known as the smallest planet in our ecosystem. Its size is comparable to the moon of the Earth. Mercury, being closest to the sun, has its temperature reach as high as 400K. The planet due to its atmosphere has been deemed not fit for human survival.

Table of content

1. Planet Closest to the Sun
2. Mercury
3. Name the planet closest to the Sun

Planet Closest to the Sun

The name of the planet closest to the sun is Mercury. There are eight planets in our solar system after Pluto was given the status of a dwarf planet. Out of these eight planets, mercury is the closest to the sun while Neptune is the farthest. Despite being closest to the sun, it is not Mercury but Venus that is the hottest planet in our solar system. However, Mercury is known to experience extreme temperatures that can go as high as 400K. It is also the second densest planet after Earth.

The planets in our solar system, in the order of least to most distance from the sun, are listed below.

Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

Mercury

Mercury is known as the smallest planet in our solar system. It is only slightly larger than the moon of the Earth. It has no rings and appears rocky in its appearance. Mercury orbits the sun fastest, it revolves around the sun completely in only 88 days.

Mercury does not have any moon, unlike other planets. It is also not suitable for inhibition of humans due to its thin environment. Till now, NASA has sent two robots to its surface Mariner 10 and MESSENGER. Mercury is best known as the planet situated at the least distance from the sun.

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