The name Solar System is derived from "Sol" or Sun, and describes our planetary system orbiting our sun. Nearest the Sun are the four terrestrial planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. All are dense, with solid surfaces and iron cores, but conditions on them vary widely-wet and temperate on Earth, freezing and dry on Mars, scorching and dry on Mercury and Venus. The outer solar system is where gas giants reside. Jupiter and Saturn are nearly all atmosphere over a small dense core. Uranus and Neptune appear to have much larger solid cores relative to their size under their hydrogen-helium veils.
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