---
title: "Naming the Planets"
description: "Name the planets in our solar system in order from the Sun and use vocabulary for space — planet, star, sun, moon, satellite, orbit, solar system, galaxy, universe, asteroid, comet — applying these co"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/naming-the-planets-mt_EHuU1ZeUFA
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/naming-the-planets-mt_EHuU1ZeUFA.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Naming the Planets

Name the planets in our solar system in order from the Sun and use vocabulary for space — planet, star, sun, moon, satellite, orbit, solar system, galaxy, universe, asteroid, comet — applying these correctly when describing the structure of the solar system and objects we see in the sky

Subject: Science · Area: Space Systems & Earth's History · Ages 5 to 8
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/naming-the-planets-mt_EHuU1ZeUFA

## Ready when they can

- Name the eight planets in order from the Sun without prompting
- Use 'orbit' correctly to describe the movement of planets around the Sun and moons around planets
- Distinguish between a planet, a moon, a star, and an asteroid using the correct vocabulary

## Lesson: The Planets in Order

The Sun is a star at the center of our solar system. Eight planets orbit it. Earth is the third planet from the Sun.

*(drawing: These are the eight planets in order. Mercury is first, then Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.)*

A planet orbits a star. Earth's Moon orbits Earth. That circling path is called an orbit.

**Example.** Zoe sees three bright dots in the night sky. One twinkles, so it is a star. Two do not twinkle, so they are planets.

**Tip.** Stars twinkle in the night sky. Planets do not twinkle as much. That is one way to tell them apart.

**Recap.** The Sun is a star. Eight planets orbit it in order, from Mercury to Neptune.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Opens up

- [The solar system](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-solar-system-mt_5l7iGkf1Tp)
- [Sun, Moon, and stars](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/sun-moon-and-stars-mt_fk33IEGP-T)
- [Daylight in summer and winter](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/daylight-in-summer-and-winter-mt_K0mZxY2AM8)
- [Earth & Space Vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earth-and-space-vocabulary-mt_LQt4vnKeB4)