Solar System
The Solar System, of which the earth is a part, consists of eight planets and the sun, so far as has been discovered. Astronomers have located 465 asteroids, which are small bodies floating in space and with apparently established orbits. From time to time, astronomers claim to have discovered a new planet, but its existence is not as yet accepted. The following table gives interesting information:
| Mean Distance of Earth from Sun, Millions of Miles | Sidereal Period, Days | Orbit, Velocity, Miles per Second | Mean Diameter, Miles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | ... | .... | ..... | 866,400 |
| Mercury | 36.0 | 87.969 | 23 to 35 | 3,030 |
| Venus | 67.2 | 224.701 | 21.9 | 7,700 |
| Earth | 92.8 | 365.256 | 18.5 | 7,918 |
| Mars | 141.5 | 686.95 | 15.0 | 4,230 |
| Jupiter | 483.3 | 4332.58 | 8.1 | 86,500 |
| Saturn | 886.0 | 10759.22 | 6.0 | 71,000 |
| Uranus | 1781.9 | 30686.82 | 4.2 | 31,900 |
| Neptune | 2791.6 | 60181.11 | 3.4 | 34,800 |