PartsoftheSolarSystem
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020/parts_of_the_solar_system/668697/solsticeflare.240_0_1.png)
Star
round object
madeofburning gas
Thesunisastar.Itisthelargestobjectinthesolar system.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020/parts_of_the_solar_system/668698/GettyImages_186803152.240_0_1.png)
Planet
large,round object
orbitsastar,suchasthe sun
Mercury,Venus,Earth,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus,andNeptuneare planets.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020/parts_of_the_solar_system/668699/GettyImages_490137064.240_0_1.png)
Moon
large,round object
doesn'torbitthe sun
orbitsaplanet,suchas Earth
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020/parts_of_the_solar_system/668700/Asteroid.240_0_1.png)
Asteroid
small,rocky object
orbitsthe sun
foundbetweentheorbitsofMarsand Jupiter