Full solar system images

Where can I find high-resolution images of the Solar System?

Explore NASA's media galleries to view and download high-resolution images of the solar system, agency missions, and more. Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

What objects are in our Solar System?

Our solar system contains objects ranging in size from the sun, the largest item, to tiny grains of rock in the asteroid belt. Take a tour of our cosmic neighborhood in pictures. Come on, let's go!

What are some interesting facts about our Solar System?

Our solar system is in one of the Milky Way galaxy’s spiral arms called the Orion Spur. 5. A Long Way Around Our solar system takes about 230 million years to orbit the galactic center. 6. Spiraling Through Space The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy. 7. Room to Breathe Our solar system has many worlds with many types of atmospheres. 8.

How many planets are in our Solar System?

Our solar system is made up of a star—the Sun—eight planets, more than 140 moons, a bunch of comets, asteroids and space rocks, ice, and several dwarf planets, such as Pluto.

How did the Solar System form?

Credit: NASA Planetary Photojournal Our solar system formed about 4.5 billion years ago from a dense cloud of interstellar gas and dust. The cloud collapsed, possibly due to the shockwave of a nearby exploding star, called a supernova. When this dust cloud collapsed, it formed a solar nebula – a spinning, swirling disk of material.

Why is our planetary system called the Solar System?

Our planetary system is called “the solar system” because we use the word “solar” to describe things related to our star, after the Latin word for Sun, "solis." Our solar system extends much farther than the eight planets that orbit the Sun. The solar system also includes the Kuiper Belt that lies past Neptune's orbit.