This lesson teaches solar system and space objects vocabulary in English. You will learn the names of planets, the Sun, moon phases, and common objects in space with pictures and example sentences. This page is useful for students, English learners, and anyone who wants to describe the solar system in simple English.
Solar System and Space Objects Vocabulary
Outer space, or simply space, is the vast area beyond Earth’s atmosphere. In this lesson, the vocabulary focuses mainly on things you can name in the solar system and in space, such as planets, the Sun, the Moon, meteors, asteroids, and galaxies.
Common Solar System and Space Object Names
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
- Full Moon
- Half Moon
- Crescent Moon
- New Moon
- Sun
- Meteor
- Asteroid
- Galaxy
- Atmosphere
- Pluto/dwarf planet
- Star
- Comet
- Black hole
- Universe
- Nebula
- Constellation
- Orbit
- Astronaut
- Rocket
- Spacecraft
- Solar system
- Milky Way
Solar System Vocabulary with Pictures
The solar system includes the Sun and the planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects that move around it.
Planets
Mercury
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system and the closest planet to the Sun.
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is often called Earth’s sister planet because it is similar in size to Earth.
Earth
Earth is the planet where we live. It has air, water, land, and many kinds of life.
Mars
Mars is often called the Red Planet because of its reddish color.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It is a gas giant with many moons.
Saturn
Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings made of ice, rock, and dust.
Uranus
Uranus is an ice giant that rotates on its side compared with most other planets.
Neptune
Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun in our solar system.
The Sun and Moon
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system. It gives Earth light and heat.
Full Moon
A Full Moon happens when the whole face of the Moon appears bright from Earth.
Half Moon
A Half Moon is when about half of the Moon’s visible side appears bright.
Crescent Moon
A Crescent Moon is a thin curved shape of the Moon that looks like a small slice.
New Moon
A New Moon is the moon phase when the Moon is not easily visible from Earth.
Other Space Objects
Meteor
A meteor is the bright streak of light we see when a small object from space burns up in Earth’s atmosphere.
Asteroid
An asteroid is a rocky object that travels around the Sun. Many asteroids are found between Mars and Jupiter.
Galaxy
A galaxy is a huge system of stars, planets, gas, dust, and other matter. The Milky Way is our galaxy.
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is the layer of gases around a planet or other space object. Earth’s atmosphere contains the air we breathe.
Space Objects vs. Space Terms
This page focuses on solar system and space object names, such as planets, the Sun, moon phases, meteors, and asteroids. If you want to learn broader astronomy terms such as gravity, orbit, light-year, eclipse, and cosmos, see Space Words and Astronomy Terms.
See more: Solar System Worksheets