The Inner Planets

MercuryVenusEarthMars

Four closest planets to the sunAll have rocky surfacesKnown as terrestrial planets

Mercury

3.2 Light Minutes from Sun4,879 km DiameterAlmost no atmosphere-173 to 427 C degree surface

temperature

Venus

6.0 Light Minutes from SunKnown as Earth’s Twin12,104 km diameterRetrograde RotationVery dense atmosphere464 C degree surface temperature

Earth

8.3 Light Minutes from the Sun12,756 km diameterWater on SurfaceLivable Atmosphere-13 to 37 C degree surface

temperature

Mars

12.7 Light Minutes from Sun 6,794 km diameter -123 to 37 C degree surface temperature Huge Volcanoes and Mountain Ranges Polar Ice Caps Very thin atmosphere