The rocky planets
There are four planets in our solar systemThe eight planets and their moons as well as other smaller bodies such as asteroids and comets which orbit the Sun. known as the rocky planets. These are: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.
Watch: What are the rocky planets?
Float through the solar system and explore the rocky planets.
Narrator: As the solar system grew, four rocky planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, were created closest to the Sun.
Made of rocks and metals, they have solid surfaces and a central core of mainly iron.
Small in comparison to the gas planets found further from the Sun, they also rotate at a more sedate pace and have few moons…
No… it can’t be…!
Stella: Spinning round, close to the Sun
There are four, four rocky planets
Mercury, is the nearest one,
Venus, Earth and Mars, they come next.
They’re the rocky planets,
The ones nearest the Sun,
Some have moons, but not that many.
They’re the rocky planets,
The ones nearest the Sun,
They maybe small but they have metal at their core.
Rocky planets!
Rocky planet facts

- They are the four closest planets to the Sun.
- These planets move around the Sun in their orbit An orbit is the path of an object around a particular point in space..
- They are made of rocks and metals.
- They have a solid surface and a core which is mainly made of iron.
- They are much smaller than the gas planets and rotate more slowly.

Activity 1: Find the rocky planets
Activity 2: Quiz
Activity 3: Make it

Can you create a model or piece of artwork of the rocky planets?
Make sure you put them in the correct order from the Sun and remember: they are spherical not round.
You could add labels or do some further research to find out more information!

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