List of Solar System objects by size

solar system mass distribution ppm chart

List of Solar System Objects by Size encompasses various celestial bodies that are part of our Solar System, including planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. This list is organized by their average diameter to provide a comparative understanding of their sizes. The Solar System's diversity in object sizes ranges from the largest, the Sun, to tiny meteoroids and dust particles.

Planets

The planets of the Solar System are the largest objects after the Sun, with Jupiter being the largest, followed by Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Earth, Venus, Mars, and Mercury. These planets are classified into two groups: the gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn) and the ice giants (Uranus and Neptune), which are significantly larger than the terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars).

Dwarf Planets

Dwarf planets are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun and are massive enough for their gravity to make them nearly round in shape, but they have not cleared their orbital paths of other debris. The most well-known dwarf planets include Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres, with Pluto being the first discovered and initially classified as the ninth planet before being reclassified as a dwarf planet.

Moons

The moons or natural satellites of planets vary widely in size. The largest moon in the Solar System is Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, which is larger than the planet Mercury. Other notable large moons include Titan, Saturn's largest moon; Callisto and Io, both of Jupiter; and Earth's Moon. These moons are often subjects of scientific study due to their diverse compositions and the insights they provide into the formation of the Solar System.

Asteroids

Asteroids are rocky objects that mostly lie in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The largest asteroid is Ceres, which is also classified as a dwarf planet. Other large asteroids include Vesta, Pallas, and Hygiea. These bodies provide clues about the early Solar System's history and the process of planetary formation.

Comets

Comets are icy bodies that release gas or dust. They are often much smaller than asteroids, but their comas and tails can be quite large when they approach the Sun. Comets are remnants from the Solar System's formation, coming from the Kuiper Belt or the Oort Cloud.

Size Comparison

The size comparison of Solar System objects highlights the vast differences in scale between various types of celestial bodies. From the immense gas giants to the tiny meteoroids, understanding these sizes helps astronomers and scientists study the formation, evolution, and current state of the Solar System.