Solar System: Planets

These sites are about the solar system and the eight planets. Find out how much you weigh or how old you would be on different planets. Learn about the planets’ different climates and structures. Includes simulations, videos, and photographs. There are links to eThemes Resources on revolution and rotation, the Earth’s moon, space exploration, and each of the planets.

Grades

Links

Astronomy Glossary: Use this glossary to look up astronomy terms.
Astronomy For Kids: This site has a section on the planets. Click on the link on the left-hand side and explore the descriptions and images of the planets. NOTE: The site includes ads.
The Planets: This site has details on each planet and offers two different reading levels.
Enchanted Learning: Planets with Graphs: This site not only shows you the planets, but also provides information about the mass, density, and temperature of each planet.
Views of The Solar System: This site has pictures of the planets. Click on the planet you want and discover lots of interesting information. The reading level is for older students. NOTE: The site includes ads and pop-up ads.
Astronomy Picture of The Day: Each day offers a different breathtaking picture. Click on the link for “Discover the Cosmos” and view pictures from previous days.
Solar System Simulator: See a view of a planet from any other planet at any time, day, or even year. Use the arrows to select the time, date, etc., and the computer does the rest. This allows students to get different views of the planets.
Mars Image Gallery: View movies that feature life on Mars. Also includes images of asteroids, lunar activities, and more.
Field Guide to the Universe: This site offers basic information and statistics on each planet in the solar system.
Maps of the Solar System: This site has lots of images. Many are of the planets’ outer atmospheres. There are surface images for most of the terrestrial planets.
Space.com Image Gallery: Students can look at different moons in the solar system. NOTE: The site includes ads.
Kids' Stuff Quiz: Try this short quiz about the planets.
BrainPop: Solar System: Watch the movie and take the quiz over the solar system. NOTE: Site available by subscription only.
Welcome to the Planets: This NASA site has many images of the different planets.
Solar System Live: Follow the links to view a graphic of the solar system. You can adjust the time and observation site.
National Geographic: Take a tour of the solar system. The 3-D version requires software that has to be downloaded. NOTE: The site includes ads.
BBC: The Solar System: Read an overview about the planets and click on the links for more specific information. NOTE: The “Talk” link leads to message boards.
The Moon and the Planets: Astronomy magazine provides a short profile on the solar system. NOTE: The site includes ads.
Space.com: Students can browse stories with “Today’s News and Features.” Scroll down to look at the “Image Galleries.” NOTE: The site includes ads.
KidsAstronomy.com: Click on the “Make A Solar System” link to open a page that lets you create your own universe. NOTE: The site includes ads.
Solar System Coloring Book: This site has online coloring pages of the sun, planets, asteroids, and comets.
Enchanted Learning: Solar System Model: This site has instructions for making a model of the solar system.
Astronomy for Kids: Click on the links to read brief facts about the eight planets.
ThinkQuest: A Virtual Journey into the Universe: This interactive site focuses on the planets in the solar system.
eThemes Resource: Solar System: Rotation and Revolution: These sites demonstrate rotation, revolution, and the orbit of planets and moons in our solar system. Includes information about day/night cycles, rotational periods, constellations, moon phases, and telling time.
eThemes Resource: Solar System: Earth's Moon: This resource is about the moon that revolves around earth. Learn about the waxing and waning phases. See video and photographs of the moon.
eThemes Resource: Solar System: Space Exploration: These sites are about space exploration and the various technologies that have made this possible. Learn about satellites, space stations, and spacecrafts. See photographs and video clips of various launches.
eThemes Resource: Solar System: Mars Exploration: Learn about the current exploration of Mars by two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Read about the third-grader who named the spacecrafts. Design a parachute for the rovers on an interactive site or create a model of a rover using crackers and candy. Watch animated movies showing the rovers taking off and landing, plus view the images that they have transmitted back to Earth.
eThemes Resource: Solar System: Neptune: Learn about Neptune, the fourth largest planet in our solar system. Topics include its geological composition, gravity, satellites, and rings. Read about the strong storms that take place on this bright blue planet. Includes video and audio files.
eThemes Resource: Solar System: Pluto: Learn about Pluto, the dwarf planet. Read how this dwarf planet was formed, its geological formation, and planned missions to Pluto. Students and teachers can read articles on Pluto’s demotion to dwarf planet. Includes many photographs.
eThemes Resource: Solar System: Saturn: These sites are about Saturn, the second largest planet in the solar system. Find out what makes up this planet’s spectacular rings. Read about the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft that is scheduled to arrive at Saturn in July 2004. Learn how to build a model of Saturn from styrofoam. Includes many photographs, videos, and quizzes.