Our Solar System Montage

An artist's montage of the worlds and objects in our solar system. Planets are not to scale.


Our solar system features eight planets, and a variety of other intriguing smaller bodies such as dwarf planets, comets and asteroids.


This representation is intentionally fanciful, as the planets are depicted far closer together than they are in reality. Similarly, the bodies' relative sizes are inaccurate. This is done for the purpose of being able to depict the solar system and still represent the bodies with some detail. Otherwise the sun would be a mere speck, and the planets -- even the majestic Jupiter -- would be far too small to be seen.


Last Update: 24 Jun 2011 (AMB)

Credit: NASA/JPL